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Texas Tech Football Adds Grad Transfer DT Preston Gordon

By Matthew Conner

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Joshua Johnson
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Joshua Johnson /
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Former Rice defensive tackle Preston Gordon announced Saturday his intention to transfer to Texas Tech.

In the game of football, there is always room for more beef on the defensive line, especially for a program like Texas Tech that has seen some lean years up front in the recent past.  That’s why the addition of former Rice defensive tackle Preston Gordon should not be underestimated.

The Houston native announced his intention to transfer to Texas Tech via Twitter on Saturday.  As a graduate transfer (meaning he has already earned an undergraduate degree from Rice) Gordon will be eligible to play this fall and will not have to sit out a season as is the case with most transfers.

"According to NBCSports.com “The last three seasons, Gordon started 28 games for the Owls, including all 12 in 2017. In 2016, Gordon tied for the team lead in sacks with 3.5, while his 6.5 tackles for loss led all interior linemen on the squad. This past season, he was third on the team in tackles for loss with 4.5.”"

While Rice is not known as a football power, fans should know that Gordon had significant interest from programs such as TCU, Tulane, Syracuse, Kansas and even Alabama.  Thus, it is fair to expect Gordon to play a significant role on the defense this fall.

There is an opening along the defensive line left by the graduation of Mych Thomas who started all 13 games last season recording 41 tackles including three for loss.  Junior Broderick Washington, who had 44 tackles and started every game last fall is expected to start at one defensive tackle position providing defensive coordinator David Gibbs with a steady force in the middle of the line.

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Aside from Gordon, there are two other presumed candidates to play in the defensive tackle rotation this season.  Sophomore Joseph Wallace red-shirted last season at the directive of the coaching staff which felt he needed to mature both on and off the field.  Fellow sophomore Nick McCann, a former 3-star recruit who appeared in 10 games last season registering five tackles, is also expected to take a step forward this season and be a key contributor.

Where the addition of the 6-foot-1, 280-pound Gordon may pay dividends is as an insurance policy should either McCann or Wallace fail to make the type of progress the coaching staff expects.

Regardless of whether or not Gordon earns a starting role, he will factor heavily into the defensive scheme.  He will be the most explosive and quickest defensive tackle on the roster and could be a key pass-rusher.  Gordon plays with intensity and maximum effort and though he will be new to the program, he will be expected to provide leadership to the young and inexperienced defensive tackles on the roster.

There is optimism about the progress of the Texas Tech defense which returns ten starters from last year’s squad.  The 2017 defense jumped 25 spots to No. 104 in total defense from dead-last in the nation in 2016.  Gordon’s presence should only help solidify the unit as it looks to make even greater gains in 2018.

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Gordon helps to fortify a defensive line that is expected to be manned by a large number of underclassmen at both tackle and end.  Adding a senior who has been through three seasons of college football is a great luxury for Texas Tech and fans should remember the name of Preston Gordon because they are likely to hear it quite a bit come September.

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