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Texas Tech football: Breaking down 2019 early signings

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 22: General view of fireworks during the National Anthem before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma Sooners on October 22, 2016 at AT
LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 22: General view of fireworks during the National Anthem before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma Sooners on October 22, 2016 at AT /
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Most likely to succeed: DE Gilbert Ibeneme

One bit of good news is that the highest-rated player in the class currently fills one of the program’s biggest needs.  Defensive end Gilbert Ibeneme is rated as the No. 63 player in Texas and No. 34 strong-side defensive end in the nation and could help bolster the Texas Tech defensive line

The 4-star prospect is expected to address a long-running Red Raider flaw; the pass rush.  Tech was fifth in the Big 12 in the 2018 regular season with 28 total sacks but both of the Raiders’ main pass rush threats, Kolin Hill and Tony Jones, have exhausted their eligibility.

Of the current players on the roster, only junior Eli Howard has more than 1.5 career sacks so there will be a need for someone to step up next season.  At 6-foot-3, 255-pounds, Ibeneme is already big enough to contribute at the FBS level but whether or not he is polished enough to contribute as a true freshman is yet to be seen.

Additionally, Tech has another defensive end in three-star Houston prospect Tony Bradford set to sign in February.  What’s more, 4-star DE Steven Parker of Dallas is still considering the Red Raiders despite decomitting after Kliff Kignsbury was fired.

One look at Ibeneme’s offer list reveals just how coveted he was.  He held offers from Arkansas, Houston, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, TCU, Texas A&M and Virginia as well as Texas Tech.  Fortunately, he has signed with the Red Raiders who need him to live up to his billing as one of the top defensive ends in the 2019 class.

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