Texas Tech will have a revamped defensive line in 2024. In fact, the entire starting lineup along the line of scrimmage will be new this fall.
One key player who must be replaced is Tony Bradord Jr., who graduated after last season. He leaves a significant hole in the Red Raider defense.
A four-year starter for the Red Raiders, the former 4-star recruit ended his time in Lubbock with 148 tackles and 15.0 tackles. What's more, in 2023, he registered a career-high 43 tackles.
Of course, what Bradford brought to the table wasn't just measured in terms of on-field productivity. He was also one of the team's strongest leaders and his voice in the locker room will be missed.
In his place could step E'Maurion "Dooda" Banks. In fact, the Wichita Falls, Texas native was penciled in as a starter in Bradford's vacated defensive tackle spot in the Red Raiders' post-spring depth chart.
A three-star prospect in the class of 2021, he was a top-100 player in Texas as a recruit and it has been only a matter of time until he was asked to be a starter for the Red Raiders. But is he ready for this opportunity?
Thus far, Banks has seen only spot duty behind Bradford, who rarely left the field in key moments. In fact, Banks' most memorable moment thus far has been the fourth-quarter blocked P.A.T. he had to preserve a one-point lead for the Red Raiders in last season's 24-23 win over U.C.F. in Lubbock.
Dooda Banks was the one who blocked the PAT that was the difference in Texas Tech’s 24-23 win over UCF.
— KTXT Sports 🌵 (@KTXT_Sports) November 19, 2023
Banks said Tony Bradford Jr. told him after the touchdown, “Let’s just go block it.” Banks did it, and funny enough, he said he did it with his forearm. #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/TTVNKYdwYN
As a defensive tackle, Banks has flashed potential. However, he's never been asked to be a starter and a leader.
Now a junior, Banks has only 16 tackles as a collegiate. The good news is that 15 of those came last season as he appeared in nine games.
Banks was a hit-or-miss player last season. Against Baylor, he had four tackles and in the Independence Bowl win over Cal he had five (a career-high).
However, there were too many times when he was a non-factor as well. In four of the nine games he played, he didn't register any statistics at all.
That was the opposite of the super-dependable and consistent Bradford. Now, Banks must follow in Bradford's shoes and become an every-down player who makes plays with regularity and who can be depended on to be a key figure in Tech's defensive line.
This year, Banks will join a talented but unproven defensive line rotation that has to step up for the Red Raiders. He will be a huge key in any success that the Red Raiders have up front and he has to prove that he's ready to be a player that brings his best on a weekly basis like Bradford did for his entire career.