In this week's edition of the Roundtable, the RRS staff answers this question:
If you had to pick one defender that not many people are talking about to have a big year, who would it be?
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Level: Linebacker Dakota Allen. I think there is plenty of support for Allen to not only play quite a bit this year but be a starter at linebacker that David Gibbs leans on alongside Micah Awe. Allen benefited from a redshirt season last year and he was someone that stood out this spring and his summer has been just as good to this point.
Dickens: I'm looking for a big season from Keenon Ward. The rising junior led the team in solo tackles last year despite missing two games and could be a big part of an improved Red Raider secondary. Ward isn't getting as much pub as Pete Robertson or Micah Awe, but I think he'll be a very important figure in Texas Tech's defensive backfield this fall.
McKay: The player I'll take - without question - is defensive back Tevin Madison. He's a player that's grown into one of the young leaders on this Texas Tech team in a hurry, and he has the respect of many of his teammates, including the veteran juniors and seniors. On top of being a leader, Madison is also poised to become Tech's starting nickel cornerback this fall. David Gibbs will utilize nickel packages a lot, so the sophomore will be a vital key to Tech's success against some talented slot receivers. He's a fierce, physical competitor to boot, so I'll take the Alabama native as my pick.
Clare: My vote goes to Peyton Hendrix at the safety position. Last season was a redshirt year for Hendrix, and he could be poised to see significant playing time this fall. New defensive coordinator David Gibbs seems to use one deep safety and lets the other safety roam on most plays. Time will tell which role Hendrix will play for this defense, but at 6-foot-2, 203-pounds, he has the ability to mix things up inside of the box and help improve the Tech run defense. For a secondary that needs depth and play makers, Hendrix is a versatile defensive back that should be able to earn plenty of playing time this fall, and he is my pick to have a big season in 2015-16.
Kohnle: Overshadowed by the hype surrounding Nigel Bethel is fellow DB mate Tevin Madison. Madison, who played last year as a freshman, put up some solid stats during his true freshman campaign, posting 56 tackles, three tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, and one interception and looked to have made some improvements during the spring under David Gibbs’ teaching. While he may not have the raw physical gifts of Bethel or even the height of Justis Nelson, Madison showed that he has what it takes to be a very good option either opposite of Bethel or as the nickel corner if he continues to make improvements.
If you had to pick one defender that not many people are talking about to have a big year, who would it be?
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Level: Linebacker Dakota Allen. I think there is plenty of support for Allen to not only play quite a bit this year but be a starter at linebacker that David Gibbs leans on alongside Micah Awe. Allen benefited from a redshirt season last year and he was someone that stood out this spring and his summer has been just as good to this point.
Dickens: I'm looking for a big season from Keenon Ward. The rising junior led the team in solo tackles last year despite missing two games and could be a big part of an improved Red Raider secondary. Ward isn't getting as much pub as Pete Robertson or Micah Awe, but I think he'll be a very important figure in Texas Tech's defensive backfield this fall.
McKay: The player I'll take - without question - is defensive back Tevin Madison. He's a player that's grown into one of the young leaders on this Texas Tech team in a hurry, and he has the respect of many of his teammates, including the veteran juniors and seniors. On top of being a leader, Madison is also poised to become Tech's starting nickel cornerback this fall. David Gibbs will utilize nickel packages a lot, so the sophomore will be a vital key to Tech's success against some talented slot receivers. He's a fierce, physical competitor to boot, so I'll take the Alabama native as my pick.
Clare: My vote goes to Peyton Hendrix at the safety position. Last season was a redshirt year for Hendrix, and he could be poised to see significant playing time this fall. New defensive coordinator David Gibbs seems to use one deep safety and lets the other safety roam on most plays. Time will tell which role Hendrix will play for this defense, but at 6-foot-2, 203-pounds, he has the ability to mix things up inside of the box and help improve the Tech run defense. For a secondary that needs depth and play makers, Hendrix is a versatile defensive back that should be able to earn plenty of playing time this fall, and he is my pick to have a big season in 2015-16.
Kohnle: Overshadowed by the hype surrounding Nigel Bethel is fellow DB mate Tevin Madison. Madison, who played last year as a freshman, put up some solid stats during his true freshman campaign, posting 56 tackles, three tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, and one interception and looked to have made some improvements during the spring under David Gibbs’ teaching. While he may not have the raw physical gifts of Bethel or even the height of Justis Nelson, Madison showed that he has what it takes to be a very good option either opposite of Bethel or as the nickel corner if he continues to make improvements.
