Texas Tech began its new season right where it left off last year, at the top of the Big 12. Seven Red Raiders saw their names on the All-Big 12 Preseason Team, including Defensive Player of the Year A.J. Holmes Jr.
LUBBOCK - The latest football season in the Big 12 has yet to see a single game kick off, but Texas Tech is already leading the charge once again in the conference.
Ahead of this week's Big 12 Media Days, the conference released its preseason award lists on Monday. In a shock to almost no one, Texas Tech had its name all over the early accolades.
The Red Raiders tallied a conference leading seven All-Big 12 Preseason Team selections, including the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in senior defensive tackle A.J. Holmes Jr.
For a team that has switched its identity from the 'Air Raid' to a bruising defensive juggernaut, Holmes is aiming to be the latest standout in the trenches.
Holmes made the cross-state trek from Houston to Texas Tech last season and began the season behind Skyler Gil-Howard, who eventually missed most of the year due to a devastating ankle injury.
Stepping in for the senior, Holmes did not miss a beat and went on to pile up 38 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and forced a fumble on his way to All-American honors when all was said and done for the Red Raiders.
Now entering his own final season, Holmes is primed to continue his strong stint in Lubbock and become a leader on a newly minted Red Raider front.
Outside of Holmes and his individual honor, six other Red Raiders garnered hefty expectations from the Big 12.
This list consisted of primarily defensive forces in cornerback Brice Pollock, who led the league in interceptions this past season, edge rusher Adam Trick, linebacker pair Ben Roberts, who is the reigning Big 12 Championship MVP, and Austin Romaine.
While most of the praise went to the defense, star tight end Terrance Carter Jr. earned his way onto the list ahead of an anticipated campaign. Finally, kicker Stone Harrington rounded out the lengthy list of Red Raiders.
With much of the offseason attention going toward a player that will not even suit up for Texas Tech, some may have glossed over the work the team elsewhere to ensure that they are right back at the forefront of the Big 12 and national conversation.
Although the conference is recognizing the potential laying in Lubbock, the Red Raiders will have to prove it on the field in arguably the most pivotal season in program history.
It all begins in just about two months inside Jones AT&T Stadium, when Texas Tech welcomes Abilene Christian on September 5.
