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Five most important Texas Tech defenders

By Matthew Conner

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Connor Killian #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders intercepts the ball and runs it back against Romello Brooker #82 of the Houston Cougars in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Connor Killian #40 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders intercepts the ball and runs it back against Romello Brooker #82 of the Houston Cougars in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 16: Eli Howard
LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 16: Eli Howard /

No. 4 – Defensive End Eli Howard

Heading into 2017, few expected a former two-star recruit and transfer from the mighty football factory that is the University of North Texas to become invaluable to the Red Raiders.  But that is what defensive end Eli Howard became.

The San Angelo native was the best player on a revitalized 2017 defensive line.  His 5.5 sacks led the team as did his 8.5 tackles for loss.  He also finished second on the team with six quarterback hurries proving to be the only player that consistently put pressure on the passer.

Howard’s disruptive play forced three fumbles on the season, second-most in the Big 12.  And he amassed all of those stats while making just seven starts.  (Though he appeared in all 13 games, he did not become a starter until the sixth game of the season.)

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In 2018, Howard will see greater responsibility, especially early in the season and he needs to be a double-digit sack player.  Last year, Tech was last in the Big 12 with just 18 total sacks and only half of those came from the defensive line.

Fortunately, Tech is adding more depth to the defensive line such as redshirt freshman Nelson Mbanasor and grad transfer Preston Gordon meaning Howard should be more rested late in games when Tech needs a stop to win games.  That will help a player like Howard, who relies on intensity and motor more than pure athleticism, to get to the QB.

Howard’s journey to Texas Tech is something out of a movie.  After no being offered by any Power-5 schools in high school, he spent one season improving at one of the few schools that gave him an opportunity, UNT.

But his desire to be closer to home and to play at the highest level led him to walk on at Texas Tech, a conference rival of his mother’s alma mater and his childhood rooting interest, the University of Texas.  Now, Howard is not only getting his shot to play big-time college football, he is thriving as one of the best players on a reinvigorated defense.

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