Super-athletic Texas Tech redshirt freshman back at linebacker for Red Raiders

There was a time, about a decade ago, when finding excellent linebackers was tough for the Texas Tech football program. However, in recent years, players such as Dakota Allen, Jordyn Brooks, Riko Jeffers, and Collin Schooler have made inside linebacker a position of strength for the Red Raiders.

Fortunately, 2024 should be another season during which Tech is going to be rock-solid at that critical spot. With Ben Roberts coming off of a 107-tackle season and Jacob Rodriguez at full health after missing all but five games last season, the starting duo in the middle of the defense is as good as any in the Big 12.

However, when meeting with the media this week, inside linebackers coach Josh Bookbinder revealed that his goal is to rotate four or five players at that position during the course of a game. Thus, there is significant competition for snaps behind Roberts and Rodriguez.

One young player to watch is redshirt freshman Miquel Dingle Jr. A special athlete who plays with his hair on fire, the South Carolina native flashed last season in spot duty making 12 tackles (1.5 for loss) in four games (one start).

However, this spring, Dingle found himself playing not at inside linebacker but at the "Star" position, which is a combination between a safety and a linebacker. Some of that was due to the fact that he was recovering from an injury and the "Star" position allowed him to minimize contact and some of it was to see how his skillset would translate to that role. However, according to Bookbinder, Dingle is back at inside linebacker and looking to crack the gameday rotation.

"He's back in the linebacker room," Bookbinder said. "It was really good for him to play some star this spring, added kinda to his arsenal what he can do and where he can fit in this defense. [Defensive coordinator Tim] DeRuyter likes to move pieces around so I think he learned, again, another facet of the defense. But he's back there, he's competing. Doing a really good job."

Though he isn't going to push for a starting role just yet in his Texas Tech career, Dingle is a player to watch because his potential is off the charts. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, he is one of the fastest players on the Red Raider defense. In fact, as a junior in high school, he posted a 13.55-second time in the 110 meter hurdles, the fifth-fastest time in America for a high schooler that year.

He was also timed as low as 10.92 in the 100 meters and 22.05 in the 200 meters while jumping 23’01” in the long jump before coming to Texas Tech. Thus, it is easy to see that his athleticism is off the charts.

Now, Dingle just needs to grow as a football player. Fortunately, Bookbinder seems pleased with his work in the offseason.

Other young linebackers competing for opportunities behind Roberts and Rodriguez include other redshirt freshmen John Curry of Lubbock and Justin Horne of New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition, senior Bryce Ramirez will be on the field plenty for the Red Raiders this fall.

But keep an eye on Miquel Dingle this season and beyond. He seems to have found a home at inside linebacker and once he figures out the nuances of the Red Raider defense, he could be an impact player given his freakish athleticism and his non-stop motor.