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

Perhaps no player in the “Air Raid” era has personified Texas Tech and its blue-collar mentality better than defensive tackle Colby Whitlock.  The 4-year starter was one of the most consistent defensive linemen in program history.

Whitlock never had fewer than 39 tackles in his four seasons and he put up a career-high 57 as a senior in 2010.  That number is 15 more than any Red Raider defensive tackle had in 2016 and is six more than 2016 1st-team all-Big 12 defensive tackle Vincent Taylor of Oklahoma State recorded.

Colby Whitlock was also a terrific pass rusher from the interior of the defensive line.  He had eight career sacks and had at least one sack in every season.

Meanwhile, only one defensive tackle on the current roster, Broderick Washington, registered a sack last year.  The entire  group of defensive tackles had just three sacks last season, a number Whitlock reached on his own in 2009.

The depth at defensive tackle is worrisome headed into 2017.  There are only four true defensive tackles on the roster and only one upperclassmen.

The post-spring depth chart even lists defensive ends Houston Miller and Zach Barnes as backup defensive tackles.  Both are likely to see action on the inside in passing situations but can’t be counted on to play significant snaps at the position due to their lack of size.

Than means that the four true defensive tackles that will man the middle of the line of scrimmage enter the year with a combined 32 career tackles.  Colby Whitlock had 33 solo tackles as a true freshman in 2007.

Next: Texas Tech Football Has A High Ceiling In 2017

The graduation of Ondre Pipkins and the transfer of Breiden Fehoko has left Texas Tech with no choice but to count on four unproven defensive tackles (Mychealon Thomas, Broderick Washington, Joe Wallace and Nick McCann).  That group would be much more reassuring if big Colby Whitlock was still in the middle of the defensive line causing havoc.