Texas Tech football: Ranking the defensive position groups for 2019
The linebackers should be the defense’s strength once again
There was a time not long ago when it seemed like virtually every season we were bemoaning Tech’s lack of talent at the linebacker position. Fortunately, that position group has been completely transformed and it looks to be the strong point of the defense in 2019.
Despite losing two-time All-Big 12 middle linebacker Dakota Allen, Tech’s linebacker depth is in fantastic shape. That’s because there are two players with all-conference potential set to anchor the defense.
Senior Jordyn Brooks and junior Riko Jeffers are expected to form one of the top linebacking duos in the Big 12 this year and will help ease the pain of Allen’s departure to the NFL. In the process, they should help Wells accomplish his stated goal of stopping the run.
Brooks, a three-year starter, has twice led the Red Raiders in tackles including in 2016 when he was the first true freshman to lead Tech in tackles in over two decades. For his career, he’s averaged 86.3 tackles per season and should he hit that target again, he will find his way onto the program’s top-10 all-time tackles list.
Next to him will be the physically gifted Jeffers. Playing in a backup role the last two years, Jeffers stats have been pedestrian, but that’s largely because Allen and Brooks were on the field 90% of the time.
Still, the 245-pound Garland, TX native took a step forward as a sophomore racking up 71 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. Former defensive coordinator David Gibbs said on more than one occasion that Jeffers had more natural talent than either Allen or Brooks and would eventually be a better player than both; now it is time for him to prove those remarks prophetic.
Adding to the linebacker depth are two players that could find new roles this year. Both junior Brayden Stringer and redshirt freshman Xavier Benson could have an opportunity to earn snaps at the outside linebacker position where getting to the QB will be their top priority.
That could also be where grad transfer Evan Rambo from Cal makes an impact. The oft-injured linebacker has played in only six games the last two years but he has shown the athleticism to suggest that he can be a disruptive force off the edge.
Additionally, senior Christian Taylor, a former high school safety, could be an option at outside linebacker at 220-pounds. His history as a defensive back could help him provide some pass coverage versatility, which is always important in the Big 12.
This year, Tech Tech will field a linebacking corp that would put to shame what the Red Raiders have fielded in most seasons during the “Air Raid” era. Hopefully, they will be able to lead the defense to where it has rarely been in the last twenty years, the land of respectability.