Captains Named for Iowa State

October 17, 2019 | Football

Game Preview Through The Smoke: Iowa State

Texas Tech’s four captains chosen from a group of 16 captains that were elected for the 2019 season

By: Ty Parker, Texas Tech Athletics Communications

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells announced Thursday this week's captains as the Red Raiders welcome Iowa State to Jones AT&T Stadium this Saturday for an 11 a.m. Homecoming kickoff.

Of the 16 captains elected prior to the start of the season, Riko Jeffers, Thomas Leggett, Xavier Benson and Jax Welch will represent the Red Raiders during the coin toss against the Cyclones. It marks the second trip to midfield this season for all four players.

Jeffers, a junior linebacker from Garland, Texas, is among the team's leading tacklers this season. A Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team selection, Jeffers set a career high with 11 tackles last year against the Cyclones to go with a key sack and forced fumble in the fourth quarter that Tech recovered in the Iowa State end zone.

Leggett, a junior defensive back out of Navarre, Fla., has played his best ball as of late since the start of the Big 12 slate. Despite missing the Baylor game, he recorded career numbers in consecutive outings with six tackles at Oklahoma followed by nine against Oklahoma State. Leggett also made a key play last year in Ames, blocking a punt and scoring for the first points of the day.

Benson, a redshirt freshman linebacker from Texarkana, Texas, is one of just three freshman captains for Tech. He has started five times this year, notching a career-high seven tackles against Oklahoma State and picking up his first tackle for a loss at Baylor. Benson ranks sixth on the team in tackles entering the weekend.

Welch, a junior running back out of Odessa, Texas, has played in all six games this season for the Red Raiders. The local product was one of eight walk-on student-athletes that were placed on scholarship at the end of fall camp. He has carried four times this season for 29 yards, including a long of 18 in the season opener against Montana State.