Robert Wooten Transfers to Texas Tech for Football

Posted on July 19, 2021

Texas Tech picked up some help for its defense on Monday with the transfer of Virginia Tech defensive end Robert Wooten, as reported by 247Sports.com.

The Red Raiders will get an end who has four years of eligibility remaining, despite playing every game for the Hokies last season. That’s due to the extra year of eligibility afforded to all players due to COVID-19.

Wooten (6-foot-3, 248 pounds) didn’t produce much last year, despite the playing time, as he had just three tackles. But the Red Raiders can use all the reinforcements it can get for a defense that was at the bottom of the major defensive statistics in the Big 12 last season.

The Red Raiders are coming off a 4-6 season and are 8-14 in the Big 12 under Wells, who took over before the 2019 season for Kliff Kingsbury. While Wells has a returning starter at quarterback in Henry Columbi, much of the attention in Lubbock this spring and summer has been on Oregon quarterback Tyler Shough, who transferred from the Ducks after last season.

Shough had a productive year for the Ducks last season, as he threw for 1,559 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. Shough also ran for 66 carries in 2020 and finished the year with 271 yards on the ground and two more touchdowns.

Texas Tech has not had a winning season since its 7-6 record in 2015, and have made just four bowl games in the last 10 years. The Red Raiders have finished no better than a tie for fifth place in the Big 12 (2015) since it went to a 10-team league.

Most of the offensive line returns from last season, and TCU transfer T.J. Storment was an All-Big 12 Second-Team selection at offensive line last year. Each of Texas Tech’s top three rushers are expected back, along with wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, who could produce All-Big 12 numbers for a second straight season.

Defensively, the Red Raiders expect back eight starters, including most of its front seven. Tech’s defense also has 10 Power 5 transfers that were taken in either last offseason or this offseason, led by former Arizona linebacker Colin Schooler, who was second in tackles for Tech a year ago. The secondary also features returning transfer Eric Monroe (formerly at LSU and played for Tech last year) and Duke transfer Marquis Waters. They’ll be counted on to help a unit that was ranked either eighth or ninth in the Big 12 in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and passing defense.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

**Want to win a $20 gift card? Go sign up here and join our conversation! The best poster each week wins a gift card to your favorite establishment!**