Texas Tech football: 5 unknowns that remain ahead of 2019 season

Can anyone on this team get to the QB with regularity?

New defensive coordinator Keith Patterson says he wants to employ an aggressive defense that puts tons of pressure on the quarterback.  That sounds like a solid plan.  The only hangup could be whether or not there are enough quality pass rushers on this year’s roster.

Last season, Tech graduated its top two pass rushers in Kolin Hill and Tony Jones who combined for nine sacks.  And with the departure of DT Joe Wallace and his 2.0 sacks, Tech will have to replace eleven of its 28 team sacks from last year.

That does not seem too impossible until you consider that of the players expected to be in Patterson’s two-deep this fall, only three,  DE Eli Howard, DT Broderick Washington and LB Jordyn Brooks had more than two sacks last year.  And none of those three players had more than four sacks in 2018 with Howard’s 3.5 leading the way.

The success of the defense will likely hinge on whether a player to two who has yet to make an impact at the collegiate level is able to take his game to another level.  Can Patterson and his staff finally unlock the potential of senior DE Lonzell Gilmore, an athletic freak at 6-foot-3, 280-pounds, who has never had more than one sack in a season?

Is redshirt sophomore Nelson Mbanasor ready to play a big role?  Playing sparingly last year and threatening to leave the program in November before the coaching change prompted him to remain a Red Raider, the 280-pounder could be ready to break out.

Other players like Houston Miller, Noah Jones or John Scott III (provided he is recovered from being shot earlier this month) may have an opportunity to earn some significant snaps but it is fair to wonder if anyone on this roster is going to be able to consistently harass opposing passers.  Perhaps Patterson’s scheme can help get the most out of his defensive personnel but we will not know that until September.