Texas Tech Football: All-time Red Raiders roster

Oct 10, 2015; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Strong Side (outside) Linebacker

Starter: Charlie Rowe

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound tackling machine would be a welcome addition to today’s Texas Tech roster and is an obvious choice as a first teamer on the Texas Tech all-time two-deep roster.

Rowe averaged 105 tackles as a sophomore, junior and senior making him a leader of the Texas Tech defense. The native of Kileen, Texas was a consensus all-conference selection in 1989 and second-team all-Southwest Conference in 1990.

Backup: Mike Smith

The alum of Lubbock’s Coronado High School was a four-year starter from 2001-2004. Smith left Texas Tech with 306 career tackles.

While at Texas Tech, Smith was part of four bowl teams going 3-1 in postseason play. Smith was part of the 2004 Red Raider team that upset No. 4 ranked Cal in the Holiday Bowl, one of the biggest wins in program history. A strong tackler with a knack for stopping the run, Smith was one of the most intelligent players on the field.

After graduation, Smith played two years for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL where he was the understudy to future Hall-of-Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. In 2013, Smith was named to Kliff Kingsbury’s initial coaching staff where he would server as a defensive assistant coach and co-defensive coordinator until 2015.

Next: Weak Side Linebacker - Thomas Howard