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Texas Tech football: Positions that might take a step back in 2019

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Antoine Wesley #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes the catch against Kris Boyd #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the 2nd half of the game on November 10, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas defeated Texas Tech 41-34. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Antoine Wesley #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes the catch against Kris Boyd #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the 2nd half of the game on November 10, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas defeated Texas Tech 41-34. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Safety

Not only is Tech having to replace Johnson, new defensive coordinator Keith Patterson also has to replace 2018’s other starting safety, Vaughnte Dorsey as well as key reserve John Bonney.  Between that trio, Tech got 141 tackles and five interceptions (four from Dorsey) a season ago.

Replacing that production will be difficult, especially given the relative lack of experience at the position currently on the roster.

The most experienced option is senior Justus Parker, who has appeared in 25 games as a Red Raider making 60 tackles, picking off four passes, forcing five fumbles and recovering one.  But last year, he digressed making only 18 tackles and failing to pick off a pass as he was forced to move between safety and nickel corner depending on the injuries in the secondary.  Still, it would make sense for Patterson to find a way to put one of his most experienced defensive backs on the field this year and safety seems like the most logical place.

Outside of Parker, the other options are either unproven or extremely young.  Junior Thomas Leggett is big and physical and has made plays in each of the past two spring sessions but has made only eight career tackles with 2018 being his first at Tech after he redshirted in 2017 after transferring in from the JUCO ranks.

Sophomore Adam Beck is an intriguing young player.  But after redshirting at Minnesota as a true freshman in 2017 and sitting out last year as a transfer, he is yet to appear in a college football game.  But coming out of high school, he was a coveted prospect with offers from Mississippi State, Iowa State, Colorado, Boise State and Houston.

Other potential answers could come in the form of redshirt freshman Adonis Brown, who impressed this spring or sophomore John Davis Jr., who appeared in 11 games last year mostly special teams.

But the Red Raiders will find it difficult to find two players as solid and productive as Johnson and Dorsey.  Even if some of this year’s safeties play well, they likely will not be as good as those Tech had roaming the secondary last season.

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