It appears that the Texas Tech football program is determined not to have one of the worst passing defenses in America in 2025 as it did this fall. That's because addressing the secondary has been one of the coaching staff's top priorities via the transfer portal.
Having already picked up commitments from North Dakota State safety Cole Wisniewski and Charlotte corner Dontae Balfour, the Red Raiders added to their transfer defensive back class on Friday night. That's when Mississippi State corner Brice Pollock committed to play for head coach Joey McGuire and his program.
A starter for the Bulldogs in 2024, the 6-foot-1 native of Georgia was credited with 48 tackles, 9 pass defenses, and 1 interception this season. In 2023, he made 24 tackles with one pass defended.
Another factor that makes Pollock intriguing is that he has two years of eligibility remaining after 2024. Thus, he could be a longer-term solution for the Red Raiders than many players in the portal.
BREAKING: Former Mississippi State CB Brice Pollock has Committed to Texas Tech, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 14, 2024
The 6’1 190 CB totaled 72 Tackles, 10 PD, 1 FF, & 1 INT in his 2 years with the Bulldogs
Ranked as a Top 5 CB in the Portal (per On3)https://t.co/nJlobKn8vb pic.twitter.com/BUalltdiUl
Pollock's addition is also an indication of what new Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood wants in a corner. Both he and Balfour are at least 6-foot-1 with Balfour being 6-foot-3. Therefore, we can assume that Wood wants larger players to man his cornerback spots.
The Red Raiders' two top corners in 2024, Maurion Horn and Brayln Lux are both 5-foot-11. Though both were effective when they were on the field, it appears that Wood wants more physically imposing players manning his secondary in 2025.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pollock had a grade of 76.5 this season. That was 8th-best among all corners in the SEC.
Pollock is the fourth transfer to join the Red Raiders via the transfer portal since the portal opened on Monday, December 9. With three of those players being members of the secondary, it is easy to see what the priority for the defense is this offseason.
This year, Tech was woeful when trying to defend against opposing passing attacks. The Red Raiders were 132nd nationally in passing yards allowed (305.3 per game), 113th in team passing efficiency defense (145.0), and 99th in passing yards per completion (11.3).
That has to change if the Red Raiders are ever going to compete for a Big 12 title. Hopefully, the addition of players like Pollock and the other transfer defensive backs the program has already added will bring about a new era of defense in the Texas Tech secondary under the guidance of Shiel Wood.