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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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Oct 10, 2020; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Lavel Davis Jr. (81) runs with the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Malik Dunlap (24) makes the tackle in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Lavel Davis Jr. (81) runs with the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Malik Dunlap (24) makes the tackle in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Rayshad Williams or Malik Dunlap

Really, Tech needs both Rayshad Williams, a transfer from UCLA, and Malik Dunlap, a transfer from N.C. State, to play significant roles this season at corner.  But so long as at least one pans out and becomes a solid starter, the defense will be in good shape.

That’s because DaMarcus Fields is set to return for his senior season.  Last year, he became the player Tech asked to cover the other team’s top receiver and he ended the year with 11 pass defenses, most in the Big 12.  He will enter 2021 with 38 career starts, most of any player on the team.

However, two-year starter and former Penn State transfer Zech McPhearson is now in the NFL leaving an opening at the other outside corner position.  That’s where either Williams or Dunlap has to fill the gap.

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Williams has to be the early leader as we head into the summer.  He drew praise from Wells for his play during spring practice while Dunlap was sidelined with an injury.

For his career, Williams has made eight starts in 22 appearances as a collegiate.  He’s amassed 42 tackles and three pass defenses.

Meanwhile, Dunlap has 23 games and ten starts under his belt.  He has compiled 41 tackles and 13 pass defenses.

Both players are over 6-foot-2 and that gives the Red Raiders some options to combat big receivers.  That’s refreshing given that it has felt like Tech has relied on undersized corners for most of the seasons in recent memory.

So long as one of these players proves capable of being an average Big 12 defensive back, it will bode well for the defense.  These players could be a key in helping turn around this program’s misfortunes on the side of the football that has been a nightmare for far too long.

Related Story. The 2010's all-decade secondary. light

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