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Texas Tech football: Position groups to watch in spring ball

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Donovan Smith #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Donovan Smith #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Linebacker Krishon Merriweather #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs to the sideline during the first half of the college football game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Linebacker Krishon Merriweather #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs to the sideline during the first half of the college football game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Can Tech replace two productive linebackers?

With the graduations of Colin Schooler and Riko Jeffers, the Red Raiders have lost 178 tackles, three sacks, and 11 tackles for loss from last year’s defense.  Will this spring provide answers as to how those two program stalwarts will be replaced?

Fortunately, Krison Merriweather is back to man the middle.  He had 52 tackles (including 5.5 for loss) a season go.

Also, Jesiah Pierre, returns for his second season as a Red Raider after transferring from Florida.  Will he take a step forward as a junior following a modest 27 tackles last season?

One new player to keep an eye on this spring is Dimitri Moore, a transfer from Missouri State who played three years at Vanderbilt.  A super senior with one year left to play, he comes to Tech with 219 career tackles (10 for loss).

It will be imperative that Tech finds answers at linebacker this spring.  That’s because the defense hinges on the play of that position group.

Right now, the Red Raiders have more questions than answers in the middle of the defense.  But there appear to be some solid candidates to step up.  However, they have some massive shoes to fill and whether they can replace Schooler and Jeffers will be one of the keys to the 2022 team’s success.

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