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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 – SEPTEMBER 12: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot Fearless Champion leads the team onto the field prior to the game against the UTEP Miners September 12, 2015 at Jones AT
LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 12: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot Fearless Champion leads the team onto the field prior to the game against the UTEP Miners September 12, 2015 at Jones AT /

Despite being a starter for only one season at Texas Tech, Dwayne Slay will forever be one of the most beloved defensive backs in program history.  Playing in an era when player safety was not the priority that it has become today, Slay became a crowd favorite because of his bone-rattling hits.

The JUCO transfer was named the 2005 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.  He also earned first-team all-American honors from Sports Illustrated that season.

As mentioned earlier, defensive coordinator David Gibbs builds his entire scheme around forcing turnovers so Slay would be a dream player for him.  Slay set a Big 12 record for career fumbles forced with the eight he forced in his only season as a starter, 2005.

At 6-foot-3, 214-pounds, Slay would also be the perfect compliment to Texas Tech free safety Jah’Shawn Johnson.  The 5-foot-10, 184-pound Johnson is a two-year starter who has proven to be adept at forcing turnovers in his own right.

In 29 career games, Johnson has forced five fumbles, recovered five fumbles and intercepted four passes.  However, his slight frame makes him a bit of a liability when defending the run.  That was not a problem for Slay who attacked running backs like a heat-seeking missile.

Slay’s presence on the 2017 team would also provide another benefit.  He would give the four 2017 JUCO defensive back signees (Octavius Morgane, Jaylon Lane, Thomas Leggett and Vaughnte Dorsey) time to adjust to Big 12 play before being forced into action.

Most JUCO players take a year to acclimate to the level of play in the Big 12 as did Slay.  However, Gibbs will be counting on his JUCO transfers to reinforce a defensive backfield that was forced to start two true freshmen at corner at the end of last season.

Additionally, there is uncertainty as to who will start opposite of Johnson at the other safety position.  Junior Kisean Allen is the front runner but last year he had just 43 tackles and no turnovers forced in 11 games.

The 2017 Texas Tech defense lacks a proven play-maker that can change the game in a moment’s notice.  Adding Dwayne Slay to this unit would give the defense an uptick in turnovers and an a much-needed boost in confidence and swagger.

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