Red Raider Defense depth chart analysis

On Monday, Matt Wells and Co. released the Texas Tech depth chart for game one in Houston this weekend against the Houston Cougars.

I’d like to take a look at the defensive side of the ball just to show the incredible depth of this unit that Keith Patterson has at his disposal to start the season. I’ll list the first two guys at each position.

END:

-Tyree Wilson (6’6” 275 JR)

-Nelson Mbanasor (6’3” 275 SR)

N:

-Jaylon Hutchings (6’0” 305 JR) -OR-

-Tony Bradford Jr. (6’1” 290 JR)

T:

-Devin Drew (6’2” 280 SR)

-Philip Blidi (6’3” 295 SO)

SAM:

-Colin Schooler (6’2” 230 SR)

-Jacob Morgenstern (6’4” 230 SR)

MIKE:

-Krishon Merriweather (6’0” 240 SR) -OR-

-Riko Jeffers (6’2” 230 SR)

WILL:

-Brandon Bouyer-Randle (6’2” 240 SR)

-Jesiah Pierre (6’2” 230 SO)

SPUR:

-Reggie Pearson Jr. (5’11” 195 JR)

-Kosi Eldridge (6’0” 225 SR)

CB:

-DaMarcus Fields (6’0” 200 SR)

-Adrian Frye (6’0” 195 SR)

S:

-Marquis Waters (6’1” 215 SR)

-Cam White (6’0” 195 JR)

S:

-Eric Monroe (5’11” 205 SR)

-Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (5’11” 195 JR)

CB:

-Malik Dunlap (6’3” 215 JR) -OR-

-Rayshad Williams (6’3” 195 JR)

As you can see there are a couple of -OR- here and there. The three positions are just fine with either guy and all six are legit ballers and will most definitely have solid seasons all around.

I don’t know what else I can say really about this group. Earlier this month I wrote about how this could be the best defense at Tech since the late 2000’s and I stand by that statement even more after today.

On one side at corner, you have two guys that are 6’3” and on the other side to compliment you have DaMarcus Fields and Adrian Frye. On the line Tony Bradford Jr. and Jaylon Hutchings are both going to hold it down up front. I don’t think I need to mention the linebackers really because I mean have you ever seen such a beautiful one-two at three linebacker positions?

Muddy Waters and Eric Monroe at safety makes me very happy as well, however depth might be a tad of an issue there, but we’ll see.

This unit should push Houston quarterback Clayton Tune right back to throwing picks and turning the ball over, something he does quite well. Ta’Zhawn Henry and KeSean Carter will be familiar faces for Tech fans, and we will see how they mesh with the Cougar offense.

Folks we are less than a week from kickoff at NRG Stadium and it is time to get excited for Red Raider Football! Whatever happens this year, we are all in it together...so let’s ride!