Texas Tech football: 10 predictions for the Red Raiders in 2022

Tyree Wilson will have a double-digit sack season

This program hasn’t had a player of Tyree Wilson’s talent and athleticism along the defensive line since perhaps Brandon Sharpe in 2009.  That’s why expectations are through the roof for Tech’s monster defensive end.

This year, Wilson will be the first Red Raider since 2014 to have a 10-sack season and that will make this defense rather formidable.  That will be good enough to see him selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, so enjoy him while you can Red Raider fans.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound former transfer from Texas A&M has been steadily improving during his Tech career.  He has 1.5 sacks in 2020 as a sophomore and he put up 7.0 last fall.  Now, he is ready to terrorize Big 12 teams in 2022.

This year, Wilson will be playing a hybird LB/DE role with only one job requirement, get to the quarterback.  That should see him have a breakout season.

Tech hasn’t had many dominant pass rushers in recent years.  In 2020, middle LB Colin Schooler led the team with just 3.5.  Then, there were the years when Eli Howard (2019) and Kolin Hill (2018) led the team with just 5.0.

That shouldn’t be the case for the 2022 team.  That’s because Wilson is a fantastic talent who is ready to realize his potential.

"“Texas Tech isn’t going to be some defensive juggernaut this season,” writes Sports Illustrated’s Connor Zimmerlee, “but Tyree will be the anchor of it. I am dead serious when I say you should have seen this man in person at Big 12 Media Days. He looked like he was built in a football laboratory.”"

Expect Wilson to stand out not only physically but also with his play this year.  In fact, 10 sacks should be just the minimum that he is able to register this year.