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Texas Tech Football: 5 “Air Raid” Era Greats That Would Help This Year

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 14: DeAndre Washington
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 14: DeAndre Washington /
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LUBBOCK, TX – OCTOBER 22: General view of fireworks during the National Anthem before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma Sooners on October 22, 2016 at AT
LUBBOCK, TX – OCTOBER 22: General view of fireworks during the National Anthem before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma Sooners on October 22, 2016 at AT /

In the modern era of Big 12 football, defending the pass is the top priority for any defense.  Most football experts agree that the best way to counter a potent passing attack is by putting pressure on the quarterback.

Unfortunately, that is a task at which Texas Tech has struggled during the Kliff Kingsbury era.  Last season, Tech amassed only 14 total sacks and only four players on the current roster have recorded a sack in a college football game.  Worse yet, no 2017 defender had more than one sack last season making the pass rush a huge concern entering this season.

Defensive coordinator David Gibbs would kill to have a player like former defensive end Adell Duckett.  The Mineral Wells, Texas native is second in school history with 29 career sacks.  Additionally, he has the second and fourth most prolific seasons of any Red Raider pass rusher.

In 2003, Duckett had 14 sacks and in 2001 he put 12 more in the books.  Let it sink in that his 2003 total was equal to the entire 2016 Texas Tech football team total.

Another reason Gibbs would love to have Duckett is because he was able to impact the game by forcing turnovers.  In his career, he had two interceptions returning both for touchdowns.

The 2016 Texas Tech defense forced just five interceptions and 13 total turnovers.  Tech ranked just 112th in the nation in that stat despite the fact that Gibbs has built his reputation on taking the ball away from opponents.

If Texas Tech is to take a step forward defensively in 2017, the defense must be more disruptive.  Shutting Big 12 offenses down is virtually impossible.

Thus, teams that are able to sack the quarterback and take the ball away from opponents are the most successful.  Duckett was one of the best at doing both in Red Raider history.  HIs presence on the 2017 team would make fans, and David Gibbs, feel much more secure about the defensive line headed into the season.

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