Texas Tech football: Five seniors we hope return in 2021

Eric Monroe

Texas Tech coaches and players have been raving about LSU transfer Eric Monroe during fall camp.  Thus, Red Raider fans had already started to lament the fact that he was going to be a one-and-done Red Raider.  But now, that may not be the case.

Monroe may indeed want another year of college in 2021 to improve his possible NFL Draft stock, which is currently almost as low as possible given that he’s yet to be a starter at the collegiate level.  But he’s going to start in Lubbock and that could be his opportunity to finally shine.

If what we are hearing about him in fall camp proves to be what we see this fall, Monroe could prove to be a steal for Matt Wells.  And if he returns in 2021, it would be a godsend for the Red Raiders.

"“We’re trying to instill a confidence in them and a swagger, and I think that’s what Eric Monroe brings,” Tech defensive coordinator Keith Patterson said. “He’s trying to learn the system, but he’s going to make an impact for us.”"

Sometimes NFL teams are leery of drafting a one-year starter, regardless of how well that player performs in his lone season of excellence.  We saw that prove to be the case in 2018 when WR Antoine Wesley was not drafted despite putting up over 1,400 yards receiving.

Perhaps Monroe will see examples such as that as cautionary tales and that will prove to be what motivates him to come back for another season.  Should that be the case, Texas Tech fans will be elated because Monroe seems to be one of the early stars of camp.