The defensive backfield returns with every starter intact and many of the backups also spent time in the starting lineup this year. This group will be filled with upper class-men and should be one of the strengths of the Red Raiders.
The expected starters at corner are Octavious Morgan, Desmon Smith, and Justus Parker. Although, you could switch out the starters with Damarcus Fields, Douglas Coleman, Jaylon Lane, or Willie Sykes and not be surprised since all of these players played significant roles at different times during the past season. I believe that Morgan has the ability to be your best cover corner. He continually was in the right position this year but at times just could not seem to make the play. My hope is that with a year of Power 5 football under his belt he will be even better. Of course, the strength of this unit may be that there is not a dominant guy but instead a pack of playmakers that will push each other for playing time.
The safety position is more certain with seniors Jah’Shawn Johnson and Vaughnte Dorsey patrolling the middle of the field. The two players that filled in when injury or suspension hit were Justus Parker and Kisean Allen. If it were up to me I would move Parker back to safety on a permanent basis. Dorsey got beat over the top too many times for me to love him as a cover safety. He is great in run support but often struggles with a team like OSU and OU who spread the defense out and sling it all over the field. Parker proved this season he is your best playmaker and having him and Johnson in the middle of field sounds like a great idea.
The only defensive back commit for the Red Raiders, Mikhi Garner, actually took his official visit to Lubbock this past weekend. In a strange turn of events, he decommitted from Tech on Sunday night saying something to the effect that he was sorry for the situation. I am not sure what took place but I would guess that whatever happened on or off campus was not good and might have lead both sides to agree that Tech was not the place to continue his football career.
With a large number of returners in the defensive backfield, I would not expect a large number of defensive backs to be signed. I would guess Gibbs and his guys will sign one or two players to complete this class.