Wreck'Em Red
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Texas Tech football: 5 newcomers that must pan out for 2021 to be success

By Matthew Conner

Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon's Tyler Shough (12) throws passes before the Fiesta Bowl game against Iowa State at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-Arizona RepublicNcaa Football Oregon At Iowa State
Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon's Tyler Shough (12) throws passes before the Fiesta Bowl game against Iowa State at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-Arizona RepublicNcaa Football Oregon At Iowa State /
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Nov 9, 2019; Durham, NC, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jahmir Smith (34) is stopped by Duke Blue Devils safety Marquis Waters (10) during the first half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2019; Durham, NC, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jahmir Smith (34) is stopped by Duke Blue Devils safety Marquis Waters (10) during the first half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Marquis Waters

This season, Tech fans are unusually optimistic in the Red Raider defense due to the influx of talent from the transfer portal.  One such addition that has fans excited about what DC Keith Patterson’s unit could do is Marquis “Muddy” Waters.

The grad transfer from Duke is one of the most experienced players on the roster after starting 35 games and appearing in 49 for his career.  And he needs to be an upgrade from the player he is replacing from last season.

Last year, Thomas Leggett started nine of the ten games Tech played.  Though he turned in a career-high 51 tackles, he simply wasn’t as good as Tech needs a safety to be in the Big 12.  Specifically, his lack of overall speed made him a liability in pass coverage.

Waters figures to be more well-equipped to man that position this season.  He’s got 16 pass defenses to his credit, ten more than Leggett was credited with during his college career.

Waters needs to be able to pair with former LSU transfer Eric Monroe to solidify the back of the Red Raider defense.  He also must be a better pass defender than Leggett was because Monroe is more of an in-the-box safety who isn’t necessarily all that adept at playing pass coverage himself.

If Waters lives up to his reputation and proves to be the type of player that the Red Raiders believe they are getting, the Tech secondary should be rather salty.  That’s why he is going to have a huge say in how 2021 unfolds.

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