Texas Tech football: Under the radar 2024 signees to be excited about

Malik Esquerra has the makings of an excellent defensive back at Texas Tech

There can't be too many defensive back signees in a class and this year, Tech added at least five players who will line up in the secondary. One name to watch from that group is Malik Esquerra.

A true safety from Killeen, Texas, he is a 3-star signee and the No. 55 safety in the nation. McGuire heaped tremendous praise on Esquerra when says that he would remind people of Dadrion Taylor-Demerson.

That comparison is tough to see from a physical standpoint given that Esquerra is 6-foot-3 while Taylor-Demerson is just 5-foot-11. Also, in high school, Taylor-Demerson was a running back who converted to safety at Tech while Esquerra is a safety by trade.

Thus, McGuire might be referring to instincts and intangibles when comparing Esquerra to Taylor-Demerson, who had 10 career interceptions during his time in Lubbock. If Esquerra can become that type of ball hawk, fans across Raiderland will rejoice.

Esquerra won't be pressed into immediate action as Taylor-Demerson was. That's because the solid collection of safeties already on the roster will allow him to develop, which he will need to do, especially in the weight room to add to his lanky 185-pound frame.