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Texas Tech football: 5 best-case scenarios for 2020

By Matthew Conner

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 24: T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders catches a pass for a touchdown defended by Davante Davis #18 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 24: T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders catches a pass for a touchdown defended by Davante Davis #18 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Nelson Mbanasor #91 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to recovering a fumble during the game against the Lamar Cardinals on September 08, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 77-0. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
Nelson Mbanasor #91 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to recovering a fumble during the game against the Lamar Cardinals on September 08, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 77-0. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

The D-line depth is productive

For years, the Texas Tech football program has struggled to field a legitimate two-deep along the defensive line.  That’s led to the starters having to take on way too much of the burden and it’s one reason why the Red Raiders have faded so mightily in the second half of games over the last few seasons.

This year, there appears to be plenty of depth along the D-line with legitimate Big 12 caliber athletes like JUCO DE Devin Drew, 4-star 2019 signee Gilbert Ibeneme, senior tackle Nick McCann, and Texas A&M transfer Tyree Wilson all providing depth behind the starters, Eli Howard, Jaylon Hutchings, and Tony Bradford Jr.

But for this season to be special, this defensive line depth is going to have to prove to be more than just capable of manning some snaps throughout the game.  Rather, the entire group of pass rushers will have to be able to give the team some productivity.

Right now, the only proven pass rusher Tech has along the defensive front is Howard, who enters this year with 12 career sacks.  But no one else on the d-line has more than 1.5 to his name as a collegiate.

That’s got to change significantly for 2020 to reach its full potential.  Tech needs multiple defensive linemen to prove capable of bringing consistent pressure on the passer, something that hasn’t been a hallmark of the Red Raider defense for far too long.

Players like junior Nelson Mbanasor, who has had a terrific fall camp by all reports, are going to have to finally become impact players and not just placeholders who give the starters a breather for a series here and there.  That’s because the likelihood exists that Tech will be without some starters from time to time due to the threat of COVID-19 positive tests.

Therefore, this year, the depth simply can’t be guys who trot out there and dance around with the offensive line.  Rather, the vast majority of the Red Raiders on the defensive line depth chart must be productive and must give the defense some production upfront.  If that happens, the Red Raider defense will take a huge step forward this fall.

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