2025 Mar 17, 09:38
Title: Texas Tech Football Pursuing Dion Wilson Jr. for Defensive Tackle Position The Christmas holiday may have slowed down news in the transfer portal, but Texas Tech football is actively searching for an intriguing player to fill their defensive tackle position. Dion Wilson Jr., an active defensive tackle transfer from New Mexico State, has recently caught their attention and received a scholarship offer. Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and weighing 300 pounds, Wilson showcased his skills and helped lead the Aggies to a 10-5 record this past fall. However, following the departure of NMSU head coach Jerry Kill, Wilson wasted no time entering the transfer portal
It was on December 23 that he announced Texas Tech's scholarship offer. During this season, Wilson demonstrated his prowess with a total of 31 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks. Impressively, he recorded 18 solo tackles. Before arriving in Las Cruces in 2023, Wilson spent three seasons playing for Arizona in the PAC-12 conference. During his time there, he accumulated 33 tackles and one sack. As a high school recruit in the class of 2020, Wilson was regarded as a 3-star prospect and ranked as the 79th best player in California according to the 247Sports composite rankings
Alongside Arizona, he received offers from Arizona State, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Sacramento State. The interest of the Red Raiders in Wilson is not surprising, especially after losing out on a defensive tackle commitment just before signing day. The departure of JUCO defensive tackle Danny Sailide, who chose to pledge his commitment to Big 12 rival BYU, further motivated Texas Tech to target defensive tackles like Wilson. The Red Raiders were excited at the prospect of incorporating a player of Sailide's size (6-foot-2, 360 pounds) into the 2024 defensive line rotation. However, his unexpected switch to the Cougars left Texas Tech searching for more size on their defensive front. Replacing both starting defensive tackles from the 2023 season, Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr., is an important task for the Red Raiders this offseason. This dynamic duo combined for 87 tackles and 7.5 sacks, leaving a void that needs to be filled. Fortunately, Texas Tech has some promising options at defensive tackle who are ready to step up and assume expanded roles
E'Maurion "Dooda" Banks, a redshirt sophomore, made 10 tackles (4.5 for loss) in nine appearances this year. Quincy Ledet Jr., who made 20 tackles in 13 games during the fall, could potentially start next year. However, as a super-senior, he is not a long-term solution at the position. One player that Texas Tech fans can look forward to is Trevon McAlpine, a 300-pound redshirt freshman hailing from Alabama. In just six games this year, McAlpine recorded 11 tackles and a sack. However, the Red Raiders did not recruit any defensive tackles in the recently concluded 2024 signing class. This decision was a deliberate one, as the program loaded up on defensive tackle signees last year
Additionally, the late flip of Sailide further limited the program's options. Now, the coaching staff is actively seeking help at the defensive tackle position and will turn to the transfer portal. Dion Wilson Jr. has emerged as a potential stop-gap option for the Red Raiders, making him someone to keep a close eye on.