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Texas Tech football: Senior Red Raiders on offense that we will hate to see go

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 14: Tahj Brooks #28 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs for a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 14: Tahj Brooks #28 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs for a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Nov 2, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive center Dennis Wilburn (56) before the game against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive center Dennis Wilburn (56) before the game against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

OL Dennis Wilburn has been a Texas Tech success story

Speaking of Wilburn, what a nice story he’s become during his time in Lubbock.  In fact, he’s the quintessential Texas Tech success story and he will be missed next season.

His arrival from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas made zero news in the spring of 2022.  That’s because it was assumed that New Mexico transfer Cade Briggs would be handed the starting job at center.

However, Briggs would miss all of spring football with an injury allowing Wilburn to take just about every first-team practice and scrimmage rep.  As a result, Wilburn had drawn even with Briggs when fall camp began and by the time last season kicked off, he was the clear-cut choice to start.

This year, Wilburn opened the season at right guard after Rusty Staats arrived from Western Kentucky.  However, following the loss to BYU, Wilburn and Staats swapped places due to a shoulder injury that made snapping the ball difficult for Staats.

Since then, Wilburn has been excellent in his return to the middle of the O-line and he is stabilizing that unit for the stretch run.  It’s a testament to how smart and versatile he is as a football player and it shows why Wilburn will be missed.

A former JUCO walk-on who took advantage of his opportunity and became a very good player against all odds?  Doesn’t that sound like he’s perfectly cast as a Red Raider?

This program has been populated for years by players who have risen above their pedigree and become excellent contributors and that’s what Wilburn has done.  Next year, Tech will have to replace at least three offensive line starters and he will be one of them.  So give a big round of applause to Wilburn when he’s announced on Saturday before the UCF game because he’s embodied everything that it means to be a Red Raider.

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