The Texas Tech football program was busy raiding the FCS ranks via the transfer portal on Wednesday. After securing a commitment from Illinois State offensive lineman Hunter Zambrano earlier in the day, the Red Raiders then landed Cole Wisniewski from perennial FCS power South Dakota State.
The Wisconsin native is a 6-foot-4, 218-pound safety who was previously a linebacker for the Bison. He missed all of the 2024 season following foot surgery.
In 2023, though, he was a dynamic playmaker. In his first season as a defensive back, he picked off eight passes and made 88 tackles in 14 games played. Those numbers earned him first-team All-American honors at the FCS level.
The Red Raiders have some holes to fill at safety. This year, starting safety CJ Baskerville will exhaust his eligibility.
In 2024, Baskerville made 68 tackles (four for loss) and picked off four passes. Last season, his first as a Red Raider after transferring in from San Diego State, he was credited with 78 tackles (two for loss) while picking off two passes.
Welcome to @TexasTechFB and @MatadorClubOrg, @ColeWisniewski! pic.twitter.com/BboYHtWgFV
— The Matador Club (@MatadorClubOrg) December 12, 2024
Baskerville was third on the Red Raider roster in tackles in the regular season trailing linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts. Additionally, Tech is set to lose reserve safety Devynn Cromwell who made 20 tackles in nine games played.
However, there are several younger safeties who are ready to step into more significant roles. Chapman Lewis played in 10 games making 41 tackles and picking off a pass. Brenden Jordan saw action in all 12 regular-season contests making 33 tackles, and Jordan Sanford made 14 tackles in nine games.
What's more, Tech will see junior safety AJ McCarty return next season after the former Baylor transfer registered 31 tackles and two picks this fall. Thus, the cupboard is not bare at safety.
What we don't know is exactly what new defensive coordinator Shiel Wood plans to do with his safeties. Will he have three on the field like his predecessor, Tim DeRuyter, or will he utilize a more traditional approach and play primarily two at a time?
Either way, safeties are versatile players who can also contribute on special teams. And when you have the chance to add one of the best playmakers from the FCS ranks, that's a gamble worth taking which is what the Red Raiders are doing with Wisniewski.