Texas Tech football: Players that benefitted from the abbreviated spring

Eli Howard

Senior defensive end Eli Howard has nothing left to prove to his teammates and coaches.  Thus, he had no reason to go through another spring practice period, especially in the wake of a couple of injury-plagued seasons.

The problem hasn’t been missed games.  It’s been nagging injuries that have prevented him from being able to play at 100%.  Still, he’s been able to register 12 sacks in three seasons at Tech.

Howard is a player who is only as good as his inner motor will allow him to be.  Thus, if he can’t go all-out because of a knee or ankle injury (both of which he’s fought through as a Red Raider), he’s not going to be what this program needs him to be and that’s a dogged and disruptive pass rusher.

Last year, Howard essentially stopped practicing during the week to give his body enough time to recover to the point that he could simply play on Saturdays.  Thus, why risk another knick or sprain that could linger from the spring into the summer?  Fortunately, he didn’t have to chance it this year.

Also helping Howard this year will be Tech’s increased depth at DE.  With players such as redshirt freshman Gilbert Ibeneme and JUCO DE Devin Drew joining the likes of junior Nelson Mbanasor and sophomore Tony Bradford, Howard will have plenty of teammates capable of spelling him this fall.  Hopefully, that and some increased physical freshness from a shortened spring will help the senior have his best season yet.