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Texas Tech football: Numerous roster changes precede start of spring practice

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders warms up before the college football game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 23, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders warms up before the college football game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 23, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by linebacker Evan Rambo #21 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the college football game on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by linebacker Evan Rambo #21 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the college football game on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

One of Tech’s most athletic defensive players retires from football

Last year, the Red Raiders were counting on Cal grad transfer Evan Rambo to be a potential piece of the puzzle on defense.  The talented and athletic safety/LB hybrid had to leave Berkely to look for more playing time after an injury-plagued start to his career.

But now, because injury-prone players tend to sustain injuries, Rambo has decided to retire from football all together after missing most of 2019 with more injury issues.  Playing in only six games and making just two starts, he amassed 18 tackles (4.5 for loss) and a sack.

That came on the heels of missing all but four games from the 2016-17 seasons and playing in just six in 2018.  Unfortunately, the knee that caused him so many problems over the course of his career has now brought his playing days to an end.

"“I love him. I love him,” Wells said to the Avalanche-Journal. “Great kid. Bright future. Kid’s going to do something in life. Really sharp. And, man, that stretch he was playing in October, he was playing very good ball.”"

Rambo had the perfect skill-set to play the spur position for the Red Raiders because his time as a linebacker at Cal made him adept at rushing off the edge, something Patterson wants his spurs to do.  Now, his departure puts some young Red Raiders in the spotlight as they will have to prove ready to man this important position.

Xavier Benson had 57 tackles and a sack last season as a redshirt freshman while Tyrique Matthews registered ten tackles in his true freshman season and both likely enter this year weighing heavily into Patterson’s plans.  Look for those young players to get the first opportunities to fill Rambo’s shoes but also keep an eye on Kosi Eldredge, who had six tackles a year ago after signing as a JUCO transfer in 2019.

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