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Texas Tech football: Keith Patterson on why 2020 defense will be better

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson of the Texas Tech Red Raiders oversees warmups before the college football game against the Iowa State Cyclones on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson of the Texas Tech Red Raiders oversees warmups before the college football game against the Iowa State Cyclones on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns is tackled by Xavier Benson #37 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Riko Jeffers #6. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns is tackled by Xavier Benson #37 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Riko Jeffers #6. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Potential strengths of the defense

Patterson was asked what he believes will be the strengths of his defense this year.  And he pointed to a few intangibles rather than to position groups.

"“I love this football team,” Patterson said. “I’m just telling you I love them because we are probably more of a unit.  Everyone’s role is a little bit more clearly defined I don’t know…if I’m at the point where I can say ‘hey, this group is going to be a strength’. “Obviously we have to improve in the back end which I think you’re going to see tremendous improvement there.  We’ve moved some people around and just doing some experimenting with guys and I really liked what I saw yesterday.  Obviously, we’ve added some people in the back end, a grad transfer and two JUCO DBs that I think are going to make a tremendous impact as well. “I really like the way the linebacking core looks right now, could be a strength of our football team again and you know up front, I don’t know, we’re athletic.   I like our athleticism everywhere, I really do.  We look faster, we’re explosive and I’m excited.  I really believe that we have to improve in the secondary.  In this league, you have to and if we do that, I really look for some really really good things from us from this group.”"

Calling the LB corps the likely strength of the program is not a bold stroke.  That’s where the most talent on the defense is concentrated, starting with the team’s leading returning tackler, Riko Jeffers, who had 76 tackles a year ago.

In addition to Randle, Tech has brought in JUCO All-American Krishon Merriweather who had an absurd 153 tackles last fall.  That tandem could form a stellar linebacking trio that could solidify the middle of the field and create quite a few matchup problems given the versatility of all three.

However, the depth is hurt by the leave of absence of Xavier Benson, who would have competed with Randle for reps at the edge-rush LB spot.  Still, this LB corps has the makings of a talented unit so long as the newcomers quickly adapt to the new system and learn what will be expected of them.

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