After Disastrous 2024, Texas Tech Defense Eyes Redemption in 2025

The Texas Tech Red Raiders’ defense put up some of the worst numbers in the Big 12 in 2024 and must get better entering this season.

Here was how the Texas Tech defense ranked last season in FBS:

Points allowed per game: 34.8 (No. 121)

Rushing yards allowed per game: 152.1 (No. 73)

Passing yards allowed per game: 308.1 (No. 132)

Total yards allowed per game: 460.2 (No. 128).

The Red Raiders have always had a hard time generating quality defense. But this year, as a Big 12 contender, it must get better.

Here are three defensive players to keep an eye on for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

LB Jacob Rodriguez

Texas Tech’s defense was one of the worst in the Big 12 last season. So why on earth was Jacob Rodriguez named the league’s preseason defensive player of the year?

Last year, he was named all-Big 12 first team after he led the team with 127 total tackles, 77 of which were solo. He also had 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. His 127 tackles were the most of any Red Raiders defender since Lawrence Flugence posted 193 tackles in 2002, which is the FBS record.

So, who knew a Texas Tech defensive player held the record for most tackles in a season?

Well, Rodriguez probably won’t approach that this season. But he is going to be the defender to watch in Lubbock in 2025.

CB Maurion Horn

The defensive backfield is the one position group where the Red Raiders have a significant carryover from last year. But players like Horn must produce better than a season ago.

The youngster did come on fast as a sophomore. He was fourth on the team with 56 tackles, with three tackles for loss. He upped his game during Big 12 play, where 44 of his 56 tackles came. He had five or more tackles in six games.

What the Red Raiders would like to see from Horn this year is more interceptions. He broke up five passes in 2024 but didn’t have an interception. A few game-changing plays from Horn and this unit would go a long way.

DE David Bailey

Texas Tech wants a better pass rush, and they pursued the former Stanford star once he hit the transfer portal, perhaps the best April addition of any school in the country.

Last season at Stanford, he led the Cardinal in tackles for loss (8.0), quarterback hurries (8), sacks (7.0), and forced fumbles (5).

For his career in Palo Alto, he had 22.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks during his three seasons. He also had 111 tackles, seven forced fumbles, and a pass breakup.

Pro Football Focus rated him as the highest-rated edge rusher returning in college football. If he puts up a season like last year, he’ll be an all-Big 12 defender by season’s end.