Inside Texas Tech’s #8 Defense – A Look at Their Slant Drill

Coach -

Texas Tech has put together one of the most complete defenses in college football:

• #2 in Rushing Defense – 56.2 yards per game
• #8 in Total Defense – 238.8 yards per game
• #8 in Scoring Defense – 11.25 points per game
• #7 in Turnovers Gained – 9 total
• #9 in Passes Intercepted – 9 picks
• #22 in 3rd Down Defense – 28.8% conversions

That profile isn’t about one superstar or a gimmick scheme. It’s the product of a defensive staff relentlessly drilling fundamentals, every single day. At the 2025 THSCA Coaching School, Tech’s staff walked coaches through the everyday drills that shape this defense.

Texas Tech Defense: Built on Fundamentals

Video: Slant Drills

Focus Drill: The Slant Drill

Defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch broke down the slant drill—a staple in Texas Tech’s front play and a big reason they’re ranked #2 nationally against the run.

Key teaching points from Fitch’s breakdown:

1. Stance is everything. A stance that limits functional steps—or tips the play to the offense—kills the drill before it starts.
2. First step wins. Whether working from the lead foot, back foot, or an even stance, every rep is about eliminating wasted movement and driving vertical.
3. Pad level and eyes. Head down, eyes up—so the DL can redirect, cross face, or dip and rip.
4. No wasted movements. Even subtle heel turns or oversteps create inefficiency. Every step is corrected until it’s clean.
5. High-rep environment. The slant drill is built for reps: fast rotations, immediate corrections, and constant teaching.

Fitch summed up his evaluation approach simply: “I work from the feet up. My eyes start at the feet, because that tells me everything I need to know about whether he can execute.”

Suffocating the Run

The slant drill illustrates why Texas Tech isn’t just stopping the run—they’re suffocating it. When you see their linemen eliminate wasted movement, strike with low pads, and redirect with speed, you understand why opponents are averaging just 56 rushing yards per game.

For your own program, this is a clip to show your line in meetings. Pause it. Ask:

• Do we strike with the same pad level?
• Do we eliminate wasted movement in our first step?
• Do we finish vertical and violent every rep?
• 
  

Texas Tech’s defensive success doesn’t start with Saturdays—it starts with drills like this, repeated until they’re second nature.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. Get the staff and DC Shiel Wood bundle - 3 for $27 (55% off) HERE