The Texas Tech Red Raiders are working on establishing a new identity as head coach Matt Wells enters the second year of his tenure with the school. Part of that culture change is strengthening a defense that was once among the worst in football. On Sunday, Wells and the Red Raiders took another step in that direction.
Colin Schooler, a transfer linebacker out of Arizona, took to Twitter on Sunday to announce his commitment to Texas Tech. Schooler will have one year of eligibility remaining, as he just completed his junior season in 2019. Oddly enough, he will get to face his brother, Brenden, who transferred from Arizona to Texas, when the season begins.
Throughout his time at Arizona, Schooler has made a massive mark on the history of the Wildcats’ football program. Just a freshman in 2017, Schooler earned Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors, was the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and earned Freshman All-American honors after recording 95 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and four sacks. It only went up from there.
In 2018, Schooler had career-highs in tackles (119), tackles for loss (21.5) and came up just shy of his career-high in sacks (4) with 3.5. He also had two interceptions, tying the mark he hit as a freshman and deflected a career-best six passes. That season earned him First Team All-Pac-12 honors, which he followed up with Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2019.
Schooler likely would have remained at Arizona for his final season of college football but chose to leave the school after the conference killed the fall season. On August 11, shortly after the Big Ten made the same decision, the Pac-12 decided to not play football this fall. Schooler cited the decision by the conference to not play this fall as a factor in his decision to leave the Wildcats.
“My time as a Wildcat has been an honor and I have had some of the best moments of my life in Tucson,” Schooler wrote when he announced his decision to transfer. “I have had the honor of working and playing with some amazing people. I would like to thank Coach Rodriguez, Coach Yates and Coach Boone for bringing me into Tucson. I would also like to thank Coach Sumlin for the opportunity to continue playing for Arizona the past two seasons. I would also like to thank Coach Rushing, Coach Hobson and Coach Rhodes for coaching me and helping me grow as a football player.
“With uncertain times and the Pac-12 not participating with fall sports this year, I have decided to enter the transfer portal and open up my recruiting to conferences who are playing this fall. I will be entering the transfer portal as a graduate transfer. Thank you Tucson!”read more
Colin Schooler announces transfer to Texas Tech – 247Sports
