Texas Tech football not delivering the defense Joey promised | Williams - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

He is one of four former Texas Tech defenders making noise in the pros right now. Their fast start has thrown into sharp relief just how far this year's Red Raiders defense has fallen short of what coach Joey McGuire promised. David Bailey notched six pressures and a sack in his first game with the New York Jets. Lee Hunter, a defensive tackle, put up six stops for the Carolina Panthers, a big number for someone playing his position. Romello Height is already drawing praise from the San Francisco 49ers.

All four were part of the front seven that powered Tech's defense in 2025, the unit that made the program's pass rush and run stop one of the more feared groups in the Big 12. Watching them shine on Sundays sharpens the question hanging over South Plains fans heading into Jones AT&T Stadium Saturdays, why hasn't this year's Tech defense replicated that success.

For people who bleed Scarlet and Black, this stings a little. The talent that built Tech's defensive identity didn't disappear, it just moved on, and it's thriving somewhere else.

Four ex-Raiders, four different NFL cities, four defenses better off for having them. Lubbock is still waiting on its own.