Texas Tech football: Takeaways from the first 2023 depth chart

C.J. Baskerville will be critical for Texas Tech as the new “Star”

Staying in the secondary, it is important to know that the Red Raiders have a new “Star”.  While it might be premature to label C.J. Baskerville a star in the sense that we typically think of that term, he could become just that while playing the hybrid safety/linebacker spot that defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter calls the “Star”.

Last year, that spot was manned admirably by Marquis Waters who made 60 tackles, including 13 for loss.  His graduation left a hole to fill and Tech has done so with Baskerville, a transfer from San Diego State.

At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, the North Richland Hills, Texas native will be asked to play coverage on inside receivers and tight ends while also giving the defense some outstanding run support.  In fact, he will have a role that allows DeRuyter to move him all over the field and his ability to be a disruptive force will be a key to Texas Tech’s success on that side of the football.

The “Star” position is the key to almost everything DeRuyter wants to do defensively.  Because of the versatility of the players who man that spot, DeRuyter can eliminate or at least minimize mismatches that the offense tries to create while also playing chess with his defenders and how he deploys them.

Baskerville has spent the last two years at Fresno State where he made a total of 74 tackles while picking off one pass.  He will be used differently at Tech though because he’ll be asked to be a disruptive force that supports the run and even blitzes the QB at times meaning he should easily surpass his career total of 2.5 tackles for loss.

Look for Baskerville to be a hound for the Red Raiders in 2023.  Though he isn’t yet a household name, he will be one of the most important pieces of the defense.