The Texas Tech Red Raiders are going to be well represented at the 2026 edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl. Not only is former Texas Tech starting quarterback Behren Morton going to be present at the showcase in Frisco, Texas, but also the Red Raiders will have Cole Wisniewski present to represent the Red Raiders’ vastly improved defense in Frisco.
The 6-foot-4, 220 pound safety from Wisconsin (who got his college football career started with the North Dakota State Bison before eventually completing his career in Lubbock with the Red Raiders) is now set to showcase his skills in front of NFL scouts as he aims to take his talents to the next level.
Wisniewski played a fascinating role with the Red Raiders this past season. While he may not have been the focal point of the defensive transformation that the Texas Tech football team experienced, the Red Raiders wouldn’t have been able to have the sort of stellar season on that side of the ball that they had without him.
Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski to represent the Red Raiders during the 2025-2026 Shrine Bowl in Frisco
He certainly had a measurable impact on the Red Raiders defense throughout the season as he racked up 38 solo tackles and a total of 78 combined tackles. Along with that, Wisniewski also recorded six tackles for loss during the Red Raiders’ 2025 season.
Add in six passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovered and you’ve got a pretty solid statline for just one season in Lubbock.
You could certainly make the argument that Wisniewski was overlooked throughout much of this season and that his impact on this Texas Tech defense, which was transformed from one of the worst defenses in the country into one of the most statistically impressive defenses in the nation, is something that should be celebrated and appreciated.