We all know the Big 12 is a quarterback driven league, and Texas Tech has their man in Patrick Mahomes, but one aspect of past Red Raider teams that has always held them back is their defense.
This has been none more evident than against the run, since 2012 Tech has allowed 5.24 yards per carry against Big 12 opponents according to ESPN.com staff writer Brandon Chatmon. That’s good for 9th in the conference just ahead of Kansas.
This season the biggest question on the defensive unit may be at defensive line, where the Red Raiders have to replace three starters from last year’s squad.
Two guys who are expected to fill holes along the defensive line are a pair of transfers, Kolin Hill who played at Notre Dame and Michigan man Ondre Pipkins who will be in Lubbock for one season.
Kolin Hill may be the more exciting of the two transfers and is only a sophomore, he can play defensive end or outside linebacker and spent all of last season lining up against Le’Raven Clark on scout team. In his only season with the Irish, Hill had ten tackles and 2 sacks.
Pipkins could line up next to rising star Breiden Fehoko, the Michigan transfer is big body at 6’3 and 325 pounds but has had issues staying healthy during his career.
Fehoko looks to be the best returning player at defensive line and if things go as planned, he and Pipkins could prove to be a big force in the middle of that defense.
