John Curry, who grew up in Lubbock as the son of two former Red Raiders, was like any other Texas Tech football fan during the tenure of the multi-Super Bowl champion Scarlet and Black. He was a big fan of the world. .
But Curry, a linebacker, said he also spends a lot of time watching highlights of Pro Football Hall of Famer Zach Thomas, who has been spending a lot of time on the program lately.
Curry said of Thomas' film, “…I was blown away by the plays he was making and how hard he was hitting and how physical he was in making plays. “There is,” he said.
Josh Bookbinder, Tech's inside linebackers coach, has been encouraging Curry to take off his blocks and practice downhill. He already knows Callie can do her job side-to-side. Her goal now is to become a more complete player.
Act 2:What can Texas Tech football players Ben Roberts and Jacob Rodriguez do for an encore?
Curry appeared in five games for Texas Tech in his true freshman year (including a win over Cal in the Independence Bowl) and remained eligible while primarily playing on special teams. Curry, in his second year on campus, could be a valuable asset at linebacker, but he's fine with whatever role is thrown at him.
“Last year I was just trying to find a way to get on the field,” Curry said. “This year, I'm just focused on what I can do to help my team win, whether that's on special teams or playing 30-plus snaps a game on defense. I don’t care if you’re playing or not, just do your best to help us win the game.”
Looking at this footage, Curry could be mistaken for starting Mike linebacker Ben Roberts without knowing the numbers. The freshman All-American said coaches always mistake him for Curry because of their similar builds. Roberts is an inch taller and 5 pounds heavier than Curry. She said Curry is 6-foot-2 and weighs 225 pounds (she announced Thursday that Curry is 230 pounds), but you can be forgiven for that mistake.
“He's going to get really good,” Roberts said. Also, Jacob Rodriguez, who is projected as a linebacker for the WILL, is one year older than himself and two years older than Curry, so Roberts is looking for a future linebacker to confuse a defense that is indistinguishable from Rodriguez. Target joked that he expected Curry to replace Rodriguez.
While Rodriguez missed eight games last season with a foot injury, Roberts burst onto the scene. When these two are healthy and together, they form a talented tandem at the core of Texas Tech's defense.
But Curry thinks he can challenge either player's spells. He said he has been working on both linebacker spots this spring, learning from the likes of Roberts, Rodriguez and Bryce Ramirez. Curry said these veterans make him feel like he can go out and command the defense whenever his time comes.
more:What's next for Texas Tech football's Amir Washington after his breakout bowl game?
“As far as young players go, John is really improving,” Bookbinder said Wednesday. “John is going to be a really good player here. He's a smart kid. He's got a high care factor. And he's got talent.”
Regardless of what his role with the team ends up being before the season opener against Abilene Christian on Aug. 31, Curry is treating it the same way he would as a true freshman.
“Even when I got here last year,” Curry said, “I was underweight and new to defense. I didn't really know what I was doing, but coming into the season I just knew right away that I was going to be that guy.''I'm just as ready as a starter, and no matter what happens, even if I have to sit out for any reason, I'm ready.'' I thought I was able to do it. ”
