3 Texas Tech football returning freshman who need to be exceptional players in 2024

The 2024 Texas Tech football squad is going to have some huge gaps to fill. The Red Raiders will have to rely on some young players to play significant minutes because of the loss of a number of important players, particularly on defense.

Younger players will have more chances to step up as a result of the departure of players like defensive ends Myles Cole and Steve Linton, safeties Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and Tyler Owens, and defensive tackles Tony Bradford Jr. and Jaylon Hutchings. Now let’s examine the three returning freshmen who, in order for Texas Tech to challenge for a conference championship in 2024, must be outstanding.

One of Texas Tech’s pass-rush threats has to be Amier Washington.

The Red Raiders need to replace the production lost on the defensive line by some young pass rushers, since Bradford, Hutchings, Cole, and Linton are all out of the lineup. After all, the trio totaled 141 tackles and 14 sacks a season ago.

Additionally, Tech hasn’t actually added a pass-rush specialist through the portal yet. As a result, young players will need to step up.

Amier Washington emerged as a notable player during the Red Raiders’ Independence Bowl victory over California, making a significant impact in his first substantial appearance as a defensive end. The redshirt freshman, primarily positioned as a defensive tackle in his earlier time with the Red Raiders, demonstrated his potential by securing three sacks and forcing a fumble that night in Shreveport, Louisiana.

While this breakout performance generated excitement among Texas Tech fans, the looming question revolves around whether Washington can consistently deliver disruptive plays on a weekly basis or if his standout performance against Cal was merely a singular occurrence. The upcoming season will also see competition from other promising young players, including Josep Adedire, Cole Spencer, and Isaac Smith, all vying for defensive end positions.

For the Red Raiders’ defense to thrive, multiple players from this group need to emerge as potent threats to opposing quarterbacks, with Washington expected to be among the top performers off the edge. As the team looks towards the future, the challenge for Washington will be to build upon his Independence Bowl success and establish himself as a consistent force in disrupting opponents’ offensive plays.

Brenden Jordan needs to develop into the next play-making safety for Texas Tech.

Brenden Jordan, a returning freshman in 2023, pleasantly surprised with his performance, particularly when thrust into action due to injuries to Owens and Taylor-Demerson. Hailing from Mansfield, Texas, the safety showcased unexpected proficiency in his inaugural season with the Red Raiders.

Despite limited playing time, Jordan made a notable impact, recording 20 tackles, with an impressive 16 being solo tackles. As the team heads into the 2024 season, Jordan faces the challenge of elevating his performance even further.

Replacing Taylor-Demerson, who concluded his Tech career with 240 tackles and 10 interceptions, presents a formidable task. The departure of Taylor-Demerson leaves a substantial void in the secondary, necessitating someone to step up and fill that crucial role.

Jordan entered the program with high expectations, being a top-300 national recruit according to 247Sports.com. Ranked as the No. 16 safety in his class and the 36th player in the state of Texas, he was always anticipated to eventually assume a starting role for the Red Raiders.

Now, as a sophomore, Jordan seems poised to take on a more prominent role, potentially becoming the linchpin of the secondary. The challenge ahead involves filling the shoes of one of the program’s best safeties in history, Taylor-Demerson, making Jordan’s upcoming season a crucial test of his abilities and leadership in the defensive backfield.

Ben Roberts will be expected to monitor the Texas Tech defense’s center.

The anticipation among Texas Tech fans for linebacker Ben Roberts in 2024 is built on the foundation of a stellar redshirt freshman season. In his debut year, Roberts made an impressive impact, tallying 107 tackles and earning recognition as the Big 12’s Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year. The Red Raiders are banking on him delivering a similar standout performance as a sophomore.

The key for Texas Tech is to have Roberts, alongside Jacob Rodriguez, anchor the defense. Both players showcase exceptional intuition, and together, they have the potential to form one of the most formidable linebacker duos in the Big 12. Their role becomes crucial in quarterbacking the defense, especially with new starters expected to fill positions along the spine of the defense, such as at defensive tackle and safety, following the graduation of leaders like Hutchings, Bradford, and Taylor-Demerson.

Roberts emerged as a revelation in 2023, recording six games with at least 10 tackles, including an impressive 13-tackle performance against Big 12 champion Texas. His contributions extended beyond tackles, as he forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass in his inaugural season as a starter. Looking ahead, there’s speculation that Roberts could contend for All-American honors in the upcoming season. If he can make such a leap, the Red Raider defense, despite significant losses, has the potential to surpass its performance from the previous season.