| Defensive End | Defensive Tackle | Nose Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Tyree Wilson | Nelson Mbanasor | Tony Bradford, Jr. |
| 6-6/280 | JR | 6-3/275 | SR | 6-1/290 | JR |
| Devin Drew | Gilbert Ibeneme | Jaylon Hutchings |
| 6-3/280 | SR | 6-3/285 | SO | 6-0/300 | JR |
| L.B. Moore | Philip Blidi | Troy Te’o |
| 6-3/240 | R-FR | 6-4/275 | SO | 6-2/280 | SR |
Some thoughts:
- When we last left off, the starting 4 in the secondary and the starting 4 linebackers were all seniors, and although this group isn’t all seniors, I think we see Mbanasor start with two juniors in Wilson and Bradford, who are both juniors. That’s 9 seniors starting and 2 juniors by my count and I can’t remember a time when Texas Tech had 9 seniors projected to start.
- I wasn’t sure if Hutchings or Bradford would start, but I’m guessing that they will be interchangeable and play near equal snaps.
- In the spring practices, defensive line coach had some updates, especially as far as weights for these guys. I’ve just gone by the roster for the weights.
- Randolph said that Blidi is up to 295 and is very explosive, Moore is up 25 pounds (so I’m guessing that he’s at 265 or so). Randolph also said that Moore will eventually be playing at the tackle spot, he’s just got to grow a bit. So, if Blidi is at 295 now, and he played some defensive end last year, and Moore is at 265 and is projecting to play the same position. I’m not sure where to project Blidi and Moore right now, but this is my guess right now.
- I’m not much into hyperbole, but this may be the deepest line we’ve seen in a really long time. Like actual depth that’s decent and good. I don’t know if there are any Big 12 performers right here and the grades from PFF that we looked at earlier this year, but these are legitimate players and I tend to think they’ll be better than what they’ve previously shown.