How Does Texas Tech Need To Fill Out 2019 Recruiting Class?

Defensive Tackle

One of the keys to the resurrection of the Texas Tech defense under David Gibbs has been improved play along the interior of the defensive line.  But right now, Tech has no defensive tackles committed for 2019.

This position is in as good of shape depth-wise as any on the roster so Tech can afford to be selective with the tackles they offer in this recruiting class.   On the current roster, Tech has six defensive tackles with only one (Preston Gordon) being a senior and one more (Broderick Washington) being a junior.

The position has been good to Kingsbury in recent years with Washington (a converted high school offensive lineman) developing into a solid starter along side JUCO transfer Mych Thomas in 2017.  Thomas is gone but Gordon (a grad transfer from Rice) and redshirt sophomore Joe Wallace (who sat out last season for academic reasons) are expected to fill that void.

Another sophomore, Nick McCann is also expected to be part of the Texas Tech two-deep rotation this fall while freshmen John Scott III and Jaylon Hutchings are being viewed as long-term developmental projects.

But in the past three recruiting classes, Tech has brought in only two defensive tackles.  That makes the position critical in 2019.  And Tech’s top target is set to decide this week.

Three-star Mansfield, Texas DT Enoch Jackson has Tweeted that he will make his decision public this Friday.

Landing Jackson would be a huge development for the Red Raiders but it seems to be a long shot.  The 6-foot, 290-pounder has offers from the likes of Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Florida and Missouri.  It is believed that Tech’s main competition is Clemson and Arkansas with the Hogs being the favorite.

But regardless of what Jackson decides, Tech will still likely be in the DT market.  Adding two quality tackles seems to be like a necessity this year given the lack of numbers spent on the position in recent classes.