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Texas Tech football: The top Red Raider from each season of the Big 12 era

By Matthew Conner

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Patrick Mahomes II #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders warming up before the game against the Baylor Bears on November 25, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 54-35. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Patrick Mahomes II #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders warming up before the game against the Baylor Bears on November 25, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 54-35. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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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) /

2009: Brandon Sharpe

With Harrell and Crabtree and several other key offensive weapons gone in 2009, the defense was the Red Raiders’ strength.  Leading the way was defensive end, Brandon Sharpe.

A first-year starter, he racked up a whopping 15 sacks on his way to first-team All-Big 12 honors.  That total is good for most ever in one year by a Red Raider and 10th-most for a Red Raider career.

That year, he was a huge reason that the Red Raiders tied a school record with 40 sacks.  As a result, the defense surrendered just 21.6 points per game.

2009 is a year that Texas Tech football fans should remember fondly.  That’s because it was the last time we saw the program muster a nine-win season and the last time the Red Raiders have managed to post a winning record in Big 12 play.

But of course, all it is remembered for is being the final year of the Mike Leach era.  It was a tumultuous year with controversy surrounding losses to Houston and Texas A&M but with significant victories over Oklahoma, No. 15 Nebraska, and Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl.

Sharpe was a one-year wonder who entered the season with no sacks to his name.  But after his breakout junior year, he decided to forego his senior season for the NFL.  And what a junior season it proved to be.

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