Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech football: Takeaways from this season’s first depth chart

By Matthew Conner

Oct 27, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Riko Jeffers (6) signals for a touchdown after Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) fumbles in the end zone at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Red Raiders 40-31. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Riko Jeffers (6) signals for a touchdown after Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) fumbles in the end zone at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Red Raiders 40-31. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 14: Linebacker Riko Jeffers #6 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shouts at the Baylor sideline during the second half of the college football game against the Baylor Bears at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 14: Linebacker Riko Jeffers #6 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shouts at the Baylor sideline during the second half of the college football game against the Baylor Bears at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Riko Jeffers listed at “Mike”

It will be worth watching on Saturday night to see how defensive coordinator Keith Patterson deploys senior linebacker Riko Jeffers.  That’s because the Garland native is listed as the No. 2 “Mike” or middle linebacker behind Merriweather (though the two are technically listed as co-starters, make no mistake, Merriweather is this team’s starting MLB in just about every package).

Many had expected Jeffers to play more of an outside linebacker position given the presence of Merriweather and Schooler in the middle.  And that’s a role that he’s equipped to handle.

Jeffers has six career sacks making him one of Tech’s leading pass rushers in terms of career sacks.  Thus, it would make sense for Patterson to use Jeffers as a heat-seeking missile aimed right at the QB.

But regardless of where he’s listed on the depth chart, we should expect to see plenty of Jeffers on the field Saturday night.  In what capacity though will be one of the keys for Patterson to figure out.

Tech has an abundance of talent at linebacker, which might be the deepest position group on the roster.  And not all of those LBs will be able to get on the field at the same time.

So expect Patterson to be strategic in how he uses players like Jeffers and Jacob Morgenstern because both can be disruptive forces.  But seeing Jeffers listed second at “Mike” is a bit of surprise and it makes one wonder just what his role will be this fall.

Home/Texas Tech Football