I personally needed some clarity on each positions, so I wanted to look at pre-spring position reviews (or post-portal but went with pre-spring). Let’s go!

Pre-Spring Position Reviews: Defensive Backs | Linebackers | Defensive Line | Offensive Line | Receivers & Tight Ends | Running Backs | Quarterback

Graduation

• WLB Jacob Rodriguez
• LB Bryce Ramirez

Transfers Out

• None?

Returning

• MLB Ben Roberts (6-3/240) SR
• STAR John Curry (6-2/235) JR
• MLB Brock Golwas (6-1/235) SO
• WLB Wesley Smith (5-10/220) SR
• LB Adam Hill (6-1/230) RSO

Transfers In

• WLB Austin Romaine (6-2/245) SR – Kansas State
• LB Corey Platt, Jr. (6-2/215) JR – Houston

Incoming Freshmen

• LB Kaegan Ash (6-0/210) – 88.60
• LB Cord Nolan (6-0/210) – 86.17

What I think:

• The simple thing ting is that Romaine replaces Rodriguez in the starting lineup and I think you are good to go.
• With that being said, I don’t think Platt is arriving to just ride the bench and would expect that he’s going to be a significant part of the equation. I don’t think he’s going to be depth for depth’s sake as he was a Shiel Wood guy (following Wood from Tulane to Houston and now to Texas Tech) so my guess is that he’s heading this way to play.
• Golwas was a freshman last year and he played in 11 games, so he should be a sophomore. I thought he was a step slow, but I hope I’m wrong. That’s also probably comparing him to Rodriguez who runs and anticipates so well. It’s not a fair comparison, but I feel like I remember Golwas sort of running after plays rather than meeting him. He was also a true freshman, so giving grace is needed.
• I am nearly positive that I heard Chris Level say that Adam Hill is going to move to linebacker, which would be nice depth and he’s got the size to play that. Not only that, there’s going to be a log-jam at running back at some point so this makes sense to me and of course Texas Tech has had decent success (i.e. Rodriguez) converting offensive players to linebackers.
• I also wonder if Marcus Ramon-Edwards (6-3/225) would ever move to a linebacker spot or if he’s just going to be a strong safety? He’s got the size to basically backup Curry, but don’t have a clue if that’s even on the radar for the coaching staff. Just thinking out loud more than anything else.
• It’s interesting in that Ash and Nolan were both two-way players for their teams. Ash obviously had a tremendous season at running back and wildcat quarterback. Nolan was a pretty talented tight end or H-back and looks really smooth running routes. I don’t know if it is a coincidence that they play both on offense and defense, but it is something.