By Adam Zuvanich l Avalanche-Journal
Texas Tech has long been known for its prolific passing offense, which once again produced points and yards in bunches this year.
But the Red Raiders’ much-improved defense, which also had a hand in the team going 11-1 and claiming a share of the Big 12 Conference’s South Division title, got more love from The Associated Press.
Three Tech defensive players — defensive end Brandon Williams and safeties Daniel Charbonnet and Darcel McBath — were named Thursday as first-team all-Big 12 by The AP. No other school put more than two players on the first-team defense, and receiver Mike Crabtree and left tackle Rylan Reed were the only Red Raiders who made the first-team offense.
“A lot of people didn’t look toward the defensive side. They looked more toward the offense,” Tech defensive tackle Ra’Jon Henley said. “But if it wasn’t for the defense, some of those games we probably would have been down.”
At least one of Tech’s all-Big 12 defensive players was caught off guard by his selection.
“I’m pretty surprised,” said Charbonnet, a 5-foot-11, 203-pound senior with 54 tackles and five interceptions this season. “It’s exciting just to have a pat on the back. It’s my senior year, so it’s kind of something to remember.”
McBath, a free safety, also wreaked havoc in Tech’s secondary. The 6-1, 196-pound senior tied for the Big 12 lead with six interceptions and added seven pass breakups, and he ranked second among Red Raiders with 70 tackles.
Williams, a 6-5, 246-pound junior, was just as detrimental to opponents’ passing games. He led the conference with 11 sacks and also forced three fumbles.
Crabtree, one of only three unanimous selections along with Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter and Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, made the first-team offense for the second straight season. The 6-3, 214-pound sophomore racked up 93 receptions for 1,135 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season, and he became Tech’s career receiving yardage leader in Saturday’s win over Baylor.
“He’s an unbelievable talent,” Tech quarterback Graham Harrell said of his favorite target. “I’m sure he’ll be unbelievable in the (NFL), too.”
Reed, a 27-year-old senior who’s a cancer survivor and former minor league baseball player, anchored a front line that allowed only 11 sacks in 604 passing attempts. The 6-7, 305-pound Reed also helped the Raiders rush for at least 100 yards in 10 different games for the first time since 1979.
Fellow offensive lineman Louis Vasquez was Tech’s only second-team selection. Honorable mention went to Harrell, running back Baron Batch, offensive lineman Stephen Hamby, defensive linemen McKinner Dixon and Colby Whitlock, linebacker Brian Duncan and defensive back Jamar Wall.