Texas Tech Linebacker Chris Payne Ineligible According to Reports

Texas Tech Football has lost another defender for the upcoming 2013 season.

Senior Linebacker Chris Payne is academically ineligible for the upcoming season according to Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. The loss of Payne will lead to a shake up on the defense.

Branden Jackson will move to defensive end while Delvon Simmons will anchor the line at defensive tackle. Terrance Bullitt, challenged by Payne in spring practice, will be the starting outside linebacker in the 3-4 defensive formation.

Co-defensive coordinator Mike Smith told Williams over the weekend, “If he can say healthy, I wouldn’t be shocked or surprised if he’s the leader of the defense and succeeds over everybody, just because he wants it so bad.

I’ve challenged him to lose some weight and work on his flexibility, because that position does a lot of things. So far, he’s leaned up, rocked up.

Every time I look in the weight room, he’s working on his flexibility. We’ve got to have more guys like him. He’s really bought into everything.”

Bullitt has missed time the past two seasons with shoulder injuries, including the last four games of 2012, when the Red Raider Defense gave up a combined 176 points and going 1-3 in those games.

[Lubbock Avalanche-Journal]