A weekly look at young Texas Tech players who are expected to redshirt this season.

Knighton

CHRIS KNIGHTON

Position: Defensive end

Height/weight: 6-3, 240

In high school: Knighton was named Class 4A first-team all-state by the Texas Sports Writers Association last season after getting credit for 97 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks. That was his debut at defensive end; he’d started at offensive tackle his sophomore and junior seasons. The teams he played on at Longview went 9-2, 12-2 and 13-3 last season.

At the moment: Knighton and fellow freshman ends Aundrey Barr and Kerry Hyder are trying to prepare for next season. Their progress rate matters since ends Ra’Jon Henley, Daniel Howard, Brandon Sharpe and Sandy Riley are seniors. Knighton is making a favorable impression on defensive line coach Charlie Sadler, who likes his hustle.

“He’s like most of the young guys,” Sadler said. “He’s done really a very good job competing. I say that based upon Thursday evening scrimmages that we have. The thing you like about him, and I can see about our young redshirt defensive ends, is they have all gotten better each week. I’ve been pleased with their progress so far.”

Sadler said what he looks for most with a player such as Knighton is effort, and so far he’s delivered that. Meanwhile, his high-school videotape showed the physical skills required.

“On film, he looked athletic and looked like he had the ability to run,” Sadler said. “That was really the two main things.”

Compiled by Don Williams