Texas Tech football: 3 ways the Red Raider defense can improve from week one

Defensive back Ja’Marcus Ingram #22 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders walks along the sideline during the second half of the college football game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 16, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

Rely on players that missed Saturday’s game

Two key Red Raiders missed the HBU game for unspecified reasons. So when linebacker Colin Schooler and safety Ja’Marcus Ingram return, they should immediately be inserted into the lineup and relied upon heavily.

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Schooler is one of the best linebackers in the country. In fact, he leads all active players in career tackles for loss with 46. But also, he’s a student of the game who doesn’t make mental mistakes. That sounds like the type of player that this defense needs to add.

Also, keep in mind that Schooler is solid in pass coverage. For his career, he’s been credited with seven pass defenses while coming up with four interceptions. He might be the perfect type of linebacker to help the defense cover up the middle of the field where HBU did so much damage with slants and crossing routes.

Meanwhile, Ingram should also see plenty of playing time when he returns. Specifically, he should get to see if he can be more effective than Leggett. The former Utah State transfer is in his fourth year in Patterson’s defense and he should have his role down pat and he has to be a better coverage player than Leggett has proven to be.

He also drew strong praise from coaches and players during fall camp.

"“JaMarcus Ingram on the outside has [made] a huge impression on me,” cornerbacks coach Derek Jones said last month. “I think JaMarcus has taken it upon himself to really listen and implement the things that he’s learning in the meeting rooms and it’s showing up on the field.”"

While Jones was talking about Ingram’s work at corner, where he was listed on the team’s first depth chart, Tech should slide him back to safety, which is where he played last season when he made 22 tackles, had one interception and had two pass defenses in limited action.

Even if Ingram plays corner, it could boost the Tech secondary by allowing a player like Taylor-Demerson to move back to safety, which he played last season as a true freshman. Either way, the defense needs an upgrade over Leggett and Ingram could certainly be that.