DB – Justus Parker
One of the biggest tasks facing the coaching staff this year is rebuilding the back of the Red Raider secondary after losing 2018 starters Jah’Shawn Johnson and Vaughnte Dorsey to graduation. If senior Justus Parker turns out to be an answer at that position, the final line of defense will be far less of a concern.
Last year, Parker saw his productivity decline significantly from 2017 when he earned all-Big 12 honors as a walk-on. In 2018, the LaVernia, TX native had just 18 tackles, five pass defenses and a forced fumble. That was disappointing considering that he was coming off a season with 42 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 8 pass defenses.
One reason he was less effective a year ago could have been because he was playing multiple positions throughout the year. When Johnson missed the first four games, Parker was forced to play safety for the first time as a Red Raider.
When he moved back to the slot-corner, his natural position, he was much less of a ball-hawk than he was in 2017. And it was noticeable as Tech forced just 18 turnovers, 78th-most in the nation.
This is a Red Raider secondary that needs to be better as a unit this fall. Tech ranked second-to-last in the country against the pass last year allowing 288.3 yards per game.
Just consider some of the ridiculous totals opposing receivers put up against the Red Raiders in 2018. Texas WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey had 159 yards and two touchdowns with most of those coming as he simply beat the defensive back physically when battling for the ball.
Iowa State’s Hakeem Butler had 148 yards against the Red Raiders on just four receptions. That is an average of 37 yards per catch and his performance included a back-breaking fourth-quarter touchdown.
In September, Marquez Stephenson of Houston went off for 177 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort in Lubbock. But his performance was overshadowed by Antoine Wesley, who set a Texas Tech record with 261 yards to go along with two touchdowns.
This year, the Red Raiders will have to be better against the pass. If Justus Parker can come closer to resembling the player he was in 2017, the secondary will have a solid senior leader to help quarterback the back end of the defense, which is always under assault in the Big 12.