Texas Tech football: 5 Red Raiders that might surprise in 2021

Jesiah Pierre

2021 sees the Texas Tech football program open with more talent at the linebacking corps than perhaps at any time in its history thanks in large part to super seniors such as Colin Schooler and Riko Jeffers.  But don’t be shocked if sophomore Jesiah Pierre makes some noise on the field this fall.

Another transfer from a traditional SEC power, the former University of Florida transfer joined the program in January but had to miss all of spring practice with an injury.  But that hasn’t kept him from opening some eyes in fall camp and now, we should expect to see him on the field this season.

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What role the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Florida native will play is yet to be seen.  But given Tech’s strength at inside LB where Colin Schooler and Krishon Merriweather are entrenched as the starters, it would not be a stretch to envision Pierre receiving some snaps at outside LB where he could be asked to be a blitzing pass rusher off the edge.

Pierre has only eight tackles to his name at the collegiate level.  But he did appear in 13 games for Florida so he isn’t completely wet behind the ears.

What’s more, there will be a need for an outside LB to give Tech some serious pressure off the edge.  That could come from Pierre but he will have to earn that opportunity given that seniors Jacob Morgenstern and Brandon Randle are also going to be vying for that same role.

Still, Pierre is a high-level athlete who has all the tools to make an impact this year.  So despite the fact that Tech is rock-solid at the LB spot already, don’t be shocked to see Pierre carve for himself a nice little niche in this year’s defensive game plan.