Pass defense, statistically at least, has been the Texas Tech football team’s biggest weakness this season. The Tech staff continues to address it vigorously during the first week of the December transfer portal window.
The Red Raiders secured a commitment Friday night from Mississippi State cornerback Brice Pollock, who had 10 pass breakups and an interception as a full-time starter this season. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound graduate of Snellville (Ga.) Shiloh was a sophomore this season.
On3Sports reported Pollock told the outlet of his pledge to the Red Raiders.
Mississippi State finished last in the Southeastern Conference, going 2-10 and 0-8 in SEC games. However, Pollock tied for the second-highest grade on the Bulldogs’ defense by Pro Football Focus at 76.1. On3 has him ranked No. 39 among players in the transfer portal and the No. 6 cornerback.
Texas Tech, going into the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 27 against Arkansas, is No. 132 out of 133 FBS teams in pass defense, allowing an average of 305.3 yards per game.
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Earlier Friday, Tech announced it had signed former North Dakota State safety Cole Wisniewski and former North Carolina-Charlotte cornerback Dontae Balfour. Wisniewski, 6-4 and 218 pounds, was an FCS all-American in 2023, when he had an FCS-best eight interceptions and a team-high 92 tackles. He missed this season after undergoing foot surgery in August.
Balfour, 6-2 and 180 pounds, was credited with 49 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions this season.
Pollock led Mississippi State freshmen with 24 tackles during the 2023 season, when he played in 11 games and started three. Darcel McBath coached the Mississippi State cornerbacks from 2020-23 and returned to his alma mater this season as an analyst on the Texas Tech staff. Tech coach Joey McGuire said recently McBath took a more active role the final month of the regular season with the Red Raiders’ cornerbacks.
Pollock was committed to Pittsburgh from June to December 2022 before he signed with Mississippi State. A long list of schools offered him a scholarship, including North Carolina, NC State, Penn State and Ole Miss.
The portal window is open from Dec. 9-28. The Red Raiders have four pledges. The first came from Hunter Zambrano, a 6-5, 300-pound offensive tackle from Illinois State.
Also on Friday, former Tech offensive tackle Dalton Merryman announced his commitment to Houston. Merryman started six games at left tackle this season, his second with the Red Raiders.
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(This story has been updated with additional information.)
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football adds pledge from Mississippi State CB Brice Pollock
