Transfer DE Robert Wooten joins Pink Raiders

Transfer DE Robert Wooten joins Pink Raiders

Owning way too numerous good quality defensive finishes is hardly ever a trouble that any school soccer system will complain about.  And for decades, the Texas Tech football method has struggled to obtain sufficient gifted pass rushers to male that placement.  But that all could possibly be changing thanks to Matt Wells’ operate in the transfer portal.

By now with former Texas A&M transfer Tyree Wilson established to start his 2nd time with the Red Raiders immediately after he joined the method previous August, Wells dipped back again into the portal on Wednesday to include Virginia Tech transfer Robert Wooten to the combine.

The snag is that Wooten may perhaps not be suitable to participate in this yr staying as he did not enter the portal until eventually just after the July 1 cutoff for gamers to acquire a no-queries-requested just one-time quick eligibility waiver. But on the other hand, there is fantastic information about Wooten as he even now has all 4 many years of eligibility remaining many thanks to the truth that 2020 did not depend towards any player’s eligibility.

The Stafford, Texas native appeared in eleven online games for the Hokies final season racking up three tackles.  But now, he’s ready to appear again to his property state immediately after what seems like an abnormal established of circumstances compelled him to depart Blacksburg.

“I want to thank VT. With a major heart, I have resolved to enter the transfer portal.” Wooten wrote on social media past week.  “This has nothing to do with the coaches or the system. This is the place I wanted to be. This was an issue that was out of their fingers and mine. I acknowledge duty and will transfer on to a distinctive path. I search forward to seeing what my potential retains.”

Whilst Wooten doesn’t elaborate on his departure from Va. Tech, what is apparent is that he’s the caliber of player that Texas Tech wants to proceed to insert to the blend.  In the course of 2020, he was rated the No. 27 weakside defensive conclude in the country and the No. 75 participant in Texas by the 247Athletics.com composite rankings.

In addition to Texas Tech and Virginia Tech, he held presents out of higher school from the likes of Arizona, Missouri, SMU, Arizona, Arkansas, Cal, Houston, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin amongst other folks.

This year, Tech will be inquiring Tony Bradford Jr. and Tyree Wilson to gentleman the beginning DE positions with Wilson predicted to be the team’s prime pass rusher.  But previous year, that duo merged for just 2.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for decline meaning that for this year’s protection to choose a action ahead, their collective enhancement will be 1 of the keys.

The Pink Raiders will also inquire former JUCO transfer Devin Drew to be more of a aspect this year.  Right after currently being a JUCO All-American in 2019, he put up 21 tackles last year (.5 for reduction) but experienced no sacks.

It would also be nice if senior Nelson Mbanasor and sophomore Gilbert Ibeneme had been equally able to return from year-ending accidents in 2020 to be important contributors this slide.  Then there is sophomore Philip Blidi who experienced five tackles and .5 sacks past 12 months as a legitimate freshman.  He as well will search to choose a move ahead in his 2nd year as a Red Raider.

Hence, even if Wooten is forced to sit out this time as a redshirt, Tech will have a great deal of warm bodies to throw at the defensive finish place.  (That has not constantly been the case on the South Plains.)  But most of the players that the Crimson Raiders will operate out there this tumble are far from verified stars meaning that somebody is likely to have to acquire his recreation up a notch for this defense to be as fantastic as several believe it could be.

Including Wooten to the blend is a terrific transfer for this software and a coup for Wells and his staff.  It helps solidify the upcoming at a situation that has been a difficulty for most of the past decade.  Thus, even if we have to hold out a yr to see him on the discipline, Wooten’s addition to the method is really worth staying excited about.

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