Texas Tech is not Linebacker U. I suppose that moniker still belongs to Penn State. Nevertheless, Texas Tech has produced many quality linebackers, several of whom (Don Rives, Mike Kinsey, Brad Hastings, Michael Johnson, Will Smith, Dakota Allen, Jordyn Brooks) didn’t even make this list. There was a period from roughly 1996 thru 2012 which constituted a linebacker dry spell. Since then, however, the talent has improved dramatically and continues on an upward bound. Indeed, there are a couple of linebackers on the current team that could one day make a list such as this.
No. 1 Zach Thomas: The Pampa Pummeler remains the only Texas Tech football player with a spot in Canton, and that will stay the case until Patrick Mahomes hangs ’em up. Thomas had the greatest college career of any Texas Tech linebacker, and until 2025, had the best single season of any Texas Tech linebacker. He went on, of course, to enjoy a long and stellar NFL career with the Miami Dolphins and is now a member of Texas Tech’s Ring of Honor. Not bad for an obscure high school recruit whose only other real suitor besides Texas Tech was Arizona State.
No. 2 E. J. Holub: No Texas Tech football player is more legendary than EJ Holub. Known as The Beast in his high school days at Lubbock High, he acquired the moniker Double Tough while at Texas Tech. And of that toughness there is absolutely no doubt. Over the course of his football career, which also spanned 10 years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Holub underwent 17 surgeries, 11 of which were on his knees. Toward the end of his career, blood and other fluids had to be pumped out of his knees before each game. And such was the extent of his injuries that he had no tendons and cartilage in one of his knees. The consequent immobility precipitated his permanent move from linebacker to center where he was not required to run. He started at the professional level while being effectively immobile. Holub is an original member of Texas Tech’s Ring of Honor…