As the 2024 college football season approaches, Texas Tech fans were hoping for a standout performance from their promising young edge rushers. However, recent news has cast a shadow over these expectations. Due to injuries and other unforeseen circumstances, several of the Red Raiders’ most talented defensive ends will be forced to sit out the entire season, leaving a significant gap in the team’s defensive lineup.
The Texas Tech defense, which has been steadily improving over the past few seasons, was set to rely on the contributions of these young edge rushers to pressure opposing quarterbacks and disrupt offensive plays. Players like freshman phenom Jason Robertson and sophomore standout Marcus Hill were expected to be key factors in defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s aggressive defensive scheme. Robertson, known for his explosive speed off the line, and Hill, a rising star with great size and strength, had both shown tremendous potential in spring practices and early workouts.
However, both players sustained serious injuries during offseason training, leaving the coaching staff scrambling to adjust their game plan. Robertson, who suffered a torn ACL, will undergo surgery, sidelining him for the season. Hill’s situation, though not as severe, involves a lingering shoulder injury that requires extended rest and rehabilitation, preventing him from playing in 2024.
Without these young stars, the Red Raiders will need to rely on more experienced players and untested backups to fill the void. The team’s depth on the defensive line will be put to the test, and while Texas Tech still has talent on its roster, the loss of these edge rushers may impact their ability to maintain pressure on opposing offenses in the highly competitive Big 12.
