Five most important Texas Tech defenders

No. 1 – Linebacker Dakota Allen

The most successful product of “Last Chance U” is also the best player on Texas Tech’s defense.  Middle linebacker Dakota Allen is not only the most talented player on the roster but he is also the heart and soul of the team.

By now, we all know the narrative about his dismissal from the team following his freshman season, his year spent in exile in rural Mississippi and his triumphant return to Lubbock last year.  But that story should not overshadow what a tremendous player he is.

In fact Allen is arguably the best Red Raider linebacker since Zach Thomas and one of the best in program history.

Allen has averaged 88 tackles in his career and despite missing a year while at East Mississippi C.C., he could find his way on to the top-ten of Texas Tech career tackles.  Last year alone, he recorded 106 tackles, two interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Allen was named second-team All-BIg 12 by the Associated Press and is a preseason All-Big 12 linebacker this fall.  And his presence on the field proved to be huge last year.

Texas Tech saw an improvement of 24 spots in its overall team defensive ranking last year.  And against the run, Tech improved by over 110 yards per game and 60 spots nationally.

Dakota Allen is a sure-fire NFL Draft prospect and many believe he could be a first round pick.  In fact many scouting services such as Pro Football Focus, view Allen as the best LB prospect in the nation.

This year, Texas Tech boasts what will be unquestionably the best linebacking corps the program has seen since the mid 1990s with Jordyn Brooks and Riko Jeffers in the mix next to Allen.  But given that life in the Big 12 most often requires a 5 defensive-back lineup to combat the spread passing attacks, it will be rare for all three linebackers to be on the field together.

This could actually be good news as a rotation of the three will keep them fresh throughout the game.  But while there will be a healthy rotation, expect Dakota Allen to be the centerpiece of the defense this year and when games are on the line, you can be certain that David Gibbs will have his best player in the middle of his defense.