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Texas Tech football: Juniors that could be ready to step up in 2020

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 23: Defensive back Adam Beck #24 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs across the field during the first half of 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: Defensive back Adam Beck #24 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs across the field during the first half of 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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Quarterback Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils drops back to pass under pressure from linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle #26 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Quarterback Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils drops back to pass under pressure from linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle #26 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle

One new addition to the roster who might have his first truly impactful season is Brandon Bouyer-Randle.  Entering this year, the Michigan State transfer has never had more than 21 tackles in a season and he’s racked up just five sacks in his three-year career.

That was due in large part to the fact that he simply couldn’t break into the starting lineup for the Spartans as MSU typically fields one of the nation’s most rugged defenses.  It was also because some injury woes limited his availability at times.

But this year, the first of those issues, playing time, shouldn’t be a problem.  It is widely expected that Randle will get the start at Tech’s outside LB position meaning that as long as he stays healthy, he will have the opportunity to rack up tackles at a rate that he’s never been able to achieve thus far as a collegiate.

At Michigan State, Randle spent some time at defensive end as a freshman and rushing the passer will be what his primary job will be at Tech.  The 230-pounder has the athleticism to get into the opposing backfield and in the aggressive, attacking scheme of defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, he could be ready to make a splash in the Big 12.

With the leave of absence taken by sophomore Xavier Benson, Randle becomes all the more integral to what Tech wants to do defensively this season.  He and former JUCO transfer Kosi Eldridge will get most of the snaps at the “Raider” position and their ability to get to the passer is going to be one of the most important wildcards for this the Red Raiders in 2020.

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