SB Nation

Texas Tech Player Eligibility Table: Linebackers

Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Tech graduated two key seniors but returns two seniors-to-be do return as well as two players that sat out all of last year.

This will be a somewhat short series to catch everyone up on the current state of the eligibility remaining for each position group. We'll update these tables after National Signing Day.

Linebacker Eligibility Remaining
Player Year Ht/Wt. 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Pete Robertson SR 6-3/236
Micah Awe SR 6-0/220
Mike Mitchell SO 6-3/226
Andre Ross SR 6-2/234
Sam Atoe SR 5-11/235
Malik Jenkins JR 6-1/212
Kris Williams JR 6-0/230
Jacarthy Mack SO 6-1/196
Kahlee Woods SO 6-0/224
Dakota Allen FR 6-2/225
Talor Nunez SO 6-4/240
Bobby Esiaba JR 6-0/216
Collin Bowen SO 6-3/221
Braden Marusak FR 6-3/192

Reason for Hope

The biggest reason why I wasn't all that worried Texas Tech not taking multiple linebackers in this class is that there's quite a bit of depth here with a combination of experience as well. Don't get me wrong, Texas Tech graduated a couple of important seniors in Sam Eguavoen and V.J. Fehoko, but I think Texas Tech should be okay. There are four players that have at least three years of eligibility remaining. The other interesting thing is that there is a lot of youth here and we could see some guys like Dakota Allen and Mike Mitchell make huge impacts on the team this year. I also really like how Texas Tech is utilizing Nunez, who is a walk-on (he has to be close to earning a scholarship) from a pass rush perspective.

Reason for Concern

The aforementioned youth could also be termed "inexperience" which usually means that there's going to be a learning curve. That would include Allen and Mitchell. We really don't know what they can do. We think we know what they can do and they have the pedigree, but we don't know if they can play. It's certainly a question. There is also some question about guys like K. Williams, Woods, Atoe, Jenkins, Mack, etc. That's a lot of bodies and like with the defensive line, would it benefit Atoe to redshirt this year and maybe the same thing for Ross? I suppose it really depends how the defense will play out with the new defensive coordinator. I'm also not 100% certain that Ross and Atoe have a redshirt year available, but I think they do. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.

Prognosis for 2015

My prognosis is actually pretty good in that I am pretty confident that Mitchell and Allen can play and if they can't, there are options available. And if that holds up, Mitchell and Allen being capable, then there's going to be lots of competition for lots of back-up playing time. I'd also expect there to be a good number of linebackers in the 2016 class, but could certainly understand how Texas Tech has just one linebacker committed in D'Vonta Hinton for the 2015 class.

In This Article

Teams
  • Texas Tech Red Raiders
Players
  • Andre Ross (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Kris Williams (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Pete Robertson (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Jacarthy Mack (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Sam Eguavoen (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Micah Awe (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Sam Atoe (S-Texas Tech)
  • Collin Bowen (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Bobby Esiaba (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Kahlee Woods (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Dakota Allen (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Malik Jenkins (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Mike Mitchell (LB-Texas Tech)
  • Braden Marusak (LB-Texas Tech)
  • V.J. Fehoko (LB-Texas Tech)

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