Texas Tech position analysis
Linebackers
Projected depth chart
Middle linebacker: Krishon Merriweather, Sr.; Jacob Rodriguez, So.
Weak-side linebacker: Dimitri Moore, Sr.; Kosi Eldridge, Sr.
Returning stats leaders: Merriweather, 52 tackles, 5 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack; Eldridge, 10 tackles, one caused fumble.
Notable losses: LB Colin Schooler, credited with team highs of 106 tackles and 10 quarterback pressures, finished his eligibility. LB Riko Jeffers, who averaged 68 tackles over past four seasons, finished his eligibility. LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, credited with 52 tackles and seven pass breakups in two seasons at Tech, transferred to Connecticut. LB Jacob Morgenstern, credited 38 tackles with 5 1/2 tackles for loss in two seasons at Tech, completed his eligibility.
In short: Gone are two anchors of the defense, Schooler and Jeffers having been the team's leading and third-leading tacklers last season, as well as significant depth pieces in Morgenstern and Bouyer-Randle. Outside of Merriweather, a 15-game starter over the past two seasons, Tech is almost starting from scratch on the defense's least-experienced unit.
Stock: Down. Tech can't easily replace a linebacker as productive as Schooler nor one as smart as Jeffers, whom former defensive coordinator Keith Patterson lauded for his pre-snap recognition and call communication. Questions abound: Can Moore regain the form of early in his career at Vanderbilt, where he averaged 92 tackles in 2018 and 2019? Can Eldridge elevate from sub-package player to every-down duty? How much time does Rodriguez need to adapt to defense after being primarily an offensive player in high school and his freshman year at Virginia? Can true freshman Ty Kana or senior Tyrique Matthews grab a role? A couple of the above need to be part of the solution right away. Injuries to Bryce Robinson, Matthew Young and Derrick Lewis — Robinson's and Young's being season-ending — thinned the experienced depth options.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech linebackers depth chart, position analysis
