Texas Tech Football: All-time Red Raiders roster

Oct 10, 2015; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Jonathan Giles (9) is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones free safety Qujuan Floyd (7) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 66-31. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Weak Side (outside) Linebacker

Starter: Thomas Howard

An amazing athlete, the 6-foot-2, 208-pound Howard is the starter on the Texas Tech all-time roster at weak side linebacker. Howard was a track star in high school recording the fastest time in the nation in the 120 hurdles.

In 1976, Howard was named an all-American for a Texas Tech team that went 11-2 and remains arguably the best team in program history. Howard was one of the defensive leaders that led Texas Tech to its first ever Southwest Conference championship.

Drafted in the third round of the 1977 NFL Draft, Howard played nine seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals. He recorded 7 interceptions and recovered 8 fumbles in his professional career.

Backup: Bront Bird

The rangy intuitive linebacker from Odessa, TX was one of the most athletic and dependable linebackers in the modern era of Texas Tech football. Bird possessed great size for his position at 6-foot-4 and 248-pounds and had a knack for finding the football.

In his senior season of 2010, Bird recorded 71 solo tackles and averaged 8.3 tackles per game. His 106 tackles in 2010 were the most for a Red Raider defender since 2005 earning Bird honorable mention all-Big 12 honors. Bird played three years in the NFL with the Sand Diego chargers recording 61 career tackles.

Next: Middle Linebacker - Zach Thomas