CJ Ah You answers questions from fall camp

The Red Raiders are 18 days away from the kickoff of the season at home against Arkansas Pine Bluff. The coaches and players continue working through fall camp in preparation for game one, and Texas Tech outside linebackers coach CJ Ah You took questions from the media this week about his unit and what he sees going into the season.

Depth at the EDGE rusher position

The program brought in several additions from the transfer portal and there are a handful of redshirt freshman and other underclassmen looking to climb the depth chart this offseason. Coach Ah You was asked about the depth throughout his unit and how it helps having multiple options going into the season.

“Yeah, depth is huge. That is what we are building in this training camp now, to keep guys fresh and that is going to be the biggest thing. A lot of the guys have earned my trust through the years and a lot of them are going into their third season here.

“I do not have a depth chart. I know that I have four (4) seniors that are guaranteed to travel. After that, we will find out how camp goes.”

Transfers Romello Height and David Bailey bring leadership, experience

Coach Ah You was asked specifically about a pair of new additions to his unit, Romello Height and David Bailey, and what separates them from the rest.

“Melo has been a constant professional and he is still learning how to be a professional. Every day he is learning what his routine is and what it takes to be a pro at the next level. He has a lot of work to do, so it is encourging to see what he has done so far.

“David is very smart, he is learning three (3) positions – the boundry, dog, field end and star – and he has picked that up very well. The work ethic is there and he is always in the building. We have to kick him out sometimes for his own good, but just like I said, all of these new guys in our room have just hit the ground running and working hard and that is all they are focused on now.”

Veteran leadership helping the underclassmen in fall camp

Coach Ah You was asked about sophomore Cheta Ofili and how he has been following David Bailey around the facility and throughout fall camp.

“Yeah, he has grown a lot following the older guys. That is the benefit of having these gys come in who have had a lot of college football underneath their belt. Cheta has seen, just like an NFL locker room, when you go in as rookies you try and get attached to a vet. That is what he has done since day one, so it is encouraging to see his progression.

“I would say it has helped with his understanding of the playbook. You know, the more and more he is comfortable of understanding the playbook, the more and more confidence you can play with and a lot faster you can play.”

How this TTU pass rush will improve going into this season

With a change at Defensive Coordinator and several new players joining the defensive side of the ball, Coach Ah You was asked how the pass rush will improve going into the season.

“Chemistry. Those four (4) guys got to have a lot of chemistry with one another. They got to know who they are rushing next to each other, and they have to communicate. That is all it comes down to is communication. You know, if those four (4) guys can rush as one then we will be in good shape the rest of the year.”

Ah You speaks to coaching style, coaches who helped shape him

At the recent local media day, several of the players described Coach Ah You as a very hands on and highly technical coach. He spoke about his background in coaching and mentioned some of the coaches that have helped him during his career.

“I have had a lot of great teachers, teachers who were all very detailed and very high-demanding and that all held me accountable as a player. I just try to pay that forward with our players.

“Brendan Daly with the Kansas City Chiefs, he was my defensive line coach with the Rams. Jerry Montgomery, I believe he is with the Cincinnati Bengals now. We were together at Oklahoma. Rod Marinelli has been a great resource and is someone who I go see every year. Pete Jenkins, of course, coached me when I was in the NFL as well.

“I was blessed to have a lot of great knowledge around me to try to be a good coach like they are/were.”