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Texas Tech football: 3 position groups where Tech could turn to transfer portal

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Defensive lineman Tyree Wilson #19 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders defends against offensive lineman Christian Jones #70 of the Texas Longhorns during the second half of the college football game on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Defensive lineman Tyree Wilson #19 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders defends against offensive lineman Christian Jones #70 of the Texas Longhorns during the second half of the college football game on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – DECEMBER 05: Defensive lineman Tyree Wilson #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders lines up for a play during the first half of the college football game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – DECEMBER 05: Defensive lineman Tyree Wilson #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders lines up for a play during the first half of the college football game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Defensive line

No team can have too many defensive linemen, especially a middling team such as Texas Tech.  That’s why it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Matt Wells and Co. add more talent at that position group.

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Remember, Tech has to replace two linemen who started last year in the two-deep rotation.  The most notable is defensive end Eli Howard.  A senior who is moving on after a solid career, the San Angelo native ends his time as a Red Raider with 14.5 sacks.

Meanwhile, Tech also has to replace defensive tackle Nick McCann who has entered the transfer portal himself.  As a Red Raider, he had 46 career tackles but only five this past season.

Of course, finding quality defensive linemen is one of the most difficult tasks in college football.  They are the key to every defensive scheme and great ones don’t grow on trees.  Thus, the competition for their services is as fierce as it is at any position.

That’s why adding a player the caliber of Tyree Wilson was so important last offseason.  Though the former Texas A&M 4-star signee had just 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2020, he flashed signs of being a productive defensive end for Tech and with Howard gone, he’s going to have an opportunity to play a larger role in 2021.

Wilson was a late-summer addition who didn’t join the Red Raiders until deep into fall camp.  Thus, don’t be surprised if Tech’s pursuit of more help along the line stretches out all offseason long.  However, be almost certain that Tech is going to in fact add talent to that position group.

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