Texas Tech Football: All-time Red Raiders roster
Middle Linebacker
Starter: Zach Thomas
Selecting the starting middle linebacker on the Texas Tech all-time two-deep requires no debate. Pampa, TX native Zach Thomas remains one of the most popular players in the history of Texas Tech football two decades after his collegiate career ended.
The 2015 College Football Hall of Fame inductee was a three-year starter and two-time all-American at Texas Tech. Thomas recorded 130 tackles in 1995 including 20 in one game against Missouri. His 390 career tackles rank 5th-best in school history but despite these stats, Thomas is a Texas Tech legend because of one singular play.
In 1995, Thomas intercepted a pass against Texas A&M with just 31 seconds to play giving Texas Tech a 14-7 win.
Thomas’ NFL career is the most decorated of any Texas Tech Red Raider. With 7 Pro Bowl selections, 5 first-team All-Pro selections, and the honor of being on the 2000’s all-decade team Zach Thomas has a strong case for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Backup: Brad Hastings
Unlike Thomas, who was a virtual unknown coming out of high school, Hastings was one of the top 25 recruits in the country when he committed to play for Texas Tech in 1983. The native of Arlington, TX left Texas Tech as the all-time tackles leader with 480 (a mark that stood for 16 years). He made all-Southwest Conference three times, was named honorable mention all-America in 1985 and third-team all-America in 1986.
Next: Nose Tackle - Ecomet Burley