Texas Tech football: Players the Red Raiders need more from

Myles Cole hasn’t given Texas Tech the productivity that the defense needs

No one expected defensive end Myles Cole to be the next Tyree Wilson.  Players like Wilson are rare as evidenced by the small number of first-rounders this program has produced, especially on defense.

However, Cole drew comparisons to Wilson this offseason given that he has the same physical gifts.  In fact, at 6-foot-6, 280 pounds, the former Louisana-Monroe transfer who joined the program prior to last season, is actually bigger than and has a longer wingspan than Wilson.

That resulted in unfair comparisons to Wilson, expectations that Cole likely was never going to live up to.  That’s not a knock on Cole, it is more a testament to how special Wilson was as a Red Raider.

Still, Cole has to find a way to give Tech more than what he has thus far.  In fact, just seeing him do something noticeable during a game would be a step in the right direction.

With only one tackle in each of the season’s first two games, Cole has been a non-factor for the defense.  That’s disappointing for a player who filled in admirably for Wilson last year following the broken foot that cost Wilson the final three games of last season.

It is imperative that Cole (and another player we will talk about momentarily) finds a way to pressure the passer and be a disruptive force moving forward.  Right now, Tech is generating almost no pressure in the backfield and that’s one reason why Oregon was able to win on Saturday night.

Defensive coordinator, Tim DeRuyter, did point out in his weekly press availability that the Ducks have an excellent offensive line, one that didn’t allow a sack in 2022 until the 11th game of the season.  Still, Cole and his defensive line cohorts have to figure out a way to get into the backfield and be disruptive, even against top offensive lines.  His size and physical gifts suggest that he should do that against Tarleton State and hopefully, that will help get him going.