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Texas Tech football: Players that helped themselves most in fall camp

By Matthew Conner

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 25: The Texas Tech Red Raiders flag flies outside the stadium before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys September 25, 2014 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Red Raiders 45-35. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 25: The Texas Tech Red Raiders flag flies outside the stadium before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys September 25, 2014 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Red Raiders 45-35. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

LB Tyrique Matthews

When the Texas Tech football signing class was finalized in February, few people were focusing on LB Tyrique Matthews out of Houston.  But the 3-star signee has made the most of his call camp and secured a starting job at the new “Raider” position, which is a combination defensive end/linebacker in Keith Patterson’s new 3-3-5 system.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder committed to Tech last June, long before the new coaching staff arrived.  And though he signed in the early December period, he did not enroll until this summer meaning that he did not go through spring practices, which makes his ascension to starter all the more impressive.

"“Tyrique, first of all, is maybe a little bit beyond-his-years mature for a freshman,” Wells told Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “He’s smart. He picked up our schemes well. Very durable, training-camp available. He was there every day, he made plays and he’s mature enough to handle it. So he’s going to be right there in the mix.”"

It was interesting to see the true freshman leapfrog redshirt freshman Xavier Benson in the final few days of camp after Benson spent the majority of August as the No. 1 Raider.  Though some of that may be attributed to some minor nagging injuries that have limited Benson in practice.

Matthews was a tremendously productive high school player but at middle linebacker, not as a pass rusher.  But despite being a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Houston, he was largely under the radar as a recruit.

Now, he appears to be ready for a starting role at one of the most critical positions on defense.  His ability to apply pressure off the edge of the defense will be key this Saturday and throughout the early portion of the schedule as the Red Raiders look to get off to a positive start on defense.

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