3 returning freshmen who need to be elite for Texas Tech football in 2024

Brenden Jordan must transform into Texas Tech's next play-making safety

Another returning freshman who surprised in 2023 is Brenden Jordan. Often forced into action this year because of injuries to Owens and Taylor-Demerson, the safety from Mansfield, Texas was surprisingly solid in his first action as a Red Raider.

In limited action, he registered 20 tackles. That included 16 of the solo variety. Now, he is going to have to take that type of performance to a new level in 2024.

Replacing Taylor-Demerson will be tough, though. He ended his Tech career with 240 tackles and 10 interceptions. That leaves a huge hole in the secondary that someone will have to fill.

Jordan was a highly-regarded recruit as a top-300 player in the nation according to 247Sports.com. What's more, he was the No. 16 safety in the class and the No. 36 player in the state of Texas. Thus, he was always expected to eventually be a starter for the Red Raiders.

That time appears to have arrived and the sophomore is going to need to bring his best to the field next year to replace Taylor-Demerson. He will be the quarterback of the secondary and he has to be able to replace one of the best safeties in the history of the program in the process.