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Texas Tech football: 5 best defensive players Red Raiders face in 2019

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Jett Duffey #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders tries to get past Caden Sterns #7 of the Texas Longhorns during the first half of the game against the Texas Longhorns on November 10, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Jett Duffey #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders tries to get past Caden Sterns #7 of the Texas Longhorns during the first half of the game against the Texas Longhorns on November 10, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Arizona LB Colin Schooler

Let’s step outside the Big 12 for a moment and take a look at one of the best linebackers in the PAC 12, Arizona’s Colin Schooler.  The 6-foot, 236-pound junior is one of the most productive defensive players in the nation and will be a huge part of the Wildcats’ game plan when they host the Red Raiders in week-three.

Last year, Schooler amassed 119 tackles (21.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 5 QB hits, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a safety.  Those numbers put him first on the team in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss as well as second in interceptions.

What makes Schooler so effective is his ability to play in space.  He is a new-school linebacker who plays better when roaming the field side to side and making plays in the open rather than when he has to play physically and shed a blocker in order to bring down a running back.

So expect Tech to run right at Schooler when they go to Tempe in the third week of the season.  He will likely get to be well-acquainted with Tech’s guards, Jack Anderson and Madison Akamnonu as Matt Wells has said that he wants his team to run between the tackles more than on the perimeter.

When you think of defense, Arizona is not a program that quickly comes to mind.  After all, the Wildcats ranked just 92nd in total defense last fall allowing 432 yards per game.

But that is not Schooler’s fault.  With six double-digit-tackle games (including a season-high 16 against BYU in the first game fo the year) he had the 28th-most tackles in the nation as a sophomore.

Now, he is considered a potential 2020 NFL Draft pick and it is easy to see why.  When Tech and Arizona face off in a critical early-season game for both programs, keep an eye on No. 7 for the Wildcats because how productive he is will be extremely telling of how the game is unfolding.

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