2020 Football Roster
Roster
Merriweather, Krishon

Jersey Number 1
Krishon Merriweather
- Position:
- Linebacker
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 240
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Hazelwood, Mo.
- High School:
- Hazelwood West
Bio
2022 SEASON (SUPER SENIOR)
Closed his Red Raider career with his best season to date … among the top tackling linebackers in the country to lead a stingy Red Raider defense … started in all 13 games as the MIKE linebacker spot … one of six Red Raiders to start and play in all 13 games, including one of four to do so on the defensive side of the ball … joined defensive linemen Tony Bradford and Jaylon Hutchings as well as fellow linebacker Kosi Eldridge in starting all 13 games … led the team with 112 tackles (70 solo), the most in his Red Raider career … marked the most tackles by a Red Raider in a season since Micah Awe had 126 in 2015 and was the fourth-highest total since 2000 … tackle count included 6.0 that went for a loss and 3.0 sacks … shared the team high with two forced fumbles and was second overall with seven quarterback hurries … recorded at least four tackles in all 13 games and had eight or more stops in eight different contests, including each of the final six games to close the year … reached double digits for tackles in three different contests, all during Big 12 play … all but one shared tackle for a loss came during league play as well … credited with playing in 726 defensive snaps by Pro Football Focus, which ranked seventh on the team … listed with 19 total pressures by PFF, the most for a non-edge player or defensive lineman on the team … IN NCAA RANKINGS: among the national leaders in solo tackles as his average per game (5.4) ranked 12th in the FBS … ended the year tied for 29th in total tackles and 41st in total tackles per game (8.6) … had 98 tackles against power-five foes alone, which was eighth in the FBS … IN BIG 12 RANKINGS: led the league in solo tackles per game and was third overall in total tackles per game as well as total tackles … his 17 tackles at Oklahoma State ranked second among single-game highs in the league … SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: recorded seven tackles in back-to-back games to start the season against both Murray State (9/3) and Houston (9/10) … shared a sack with Tyree Wilson late in the first quarter of the Murray State win, which came on a 3rd-and-goal play that forced a field goal … in the backfield frequently against the Racers with a season-high two quarterback hurries … closed non-conference play with four tackles and a quarterback hurry at N.C. State (9/17) … opened Big 12 play with eight tackles and a key forced fumble in the win over Texas (9/24) … fumble came on the first play of overtime as he knocked the ball loose from Bejan Robinson on a running play for Reggie Pearson Jr. to recover … the Red Raiders connected on a field goal on the ensuing drive to win the game … followed with seven stops at Kansas State (10/1) with two quarterback hurries … set a career high with 17 tackles at Oklahoma State (10/8), the most for a Red Raider in a game since Jordyn Brooks had 19 versus the Cowboys in 2019 … marked the second-highest tackle total by a Big 12 player on the season and the most on the team … one of those tackles went for a sack, which came on Oklahoma State’s first drive of the third quarter … returned from the open week with five tackles in the win over West Virginia (10/22) before reaching double digits in each of the next two games against Baylor (10/29) and at TCU (11/5) … had a tackle for loss in both of those games, finishing with 12 stops against Baylor and then 11 at TCU … closed the regular-season with at least a shared tackle for loss in each of the final three games with nine tackles against both Kansas (11/12) and Iowa State (11/19) and eight against Oklahoma (11/26) … his TFL versus Iowa State was a 11-yard sack with Jaylon Hutchings midway through the first quarter that eventually forced a punt … combined with Dadrion Taylor-Demerson against OU for a TFL on a pass play that pushed the Sooners back from 2nd-and-5 to 3-and-10, leading to an eventual punt just before halftime … the Red Raiders ultimately got the ball back and drove down the ensuing drive for a field goal as time expired … closed his Red Raider career with eight tackles, including a sack, in the TaxAct Texas Bowl victory over Ole Miss (12/28 … sack came on Ole Miss’ second-to-last drive of the game and pushed the Rebels to a 3rd-and-17 play … AWARDS AND HONORS: tabbed an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the conference coaches … recognized on the All-Big 12 fourth team compiled by Phil Steele Magazine … POSTSEASON ALL-STAR GAME: selected to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl alongside teammate SaRodorick Thompson … first Red Raider linebacker all-time to play in the bowl games’ short existence.
2021 SEASON (SENIOR)
Ranked among Texas Tech’s leading tacklers again during second season as a Red Raider … appeared in 13 games overall with six starts … each of his six starts came in the final six games of the season … totaled 52 tackles (30 solo), including 5.5 that went for a loss and 1.0 sack … utilized in pressure situations, causing four quarterback hurries overall … closed the season ranked sixth on the team in tackles and fifth for tackles for loss … credited with appearing in 557 snaps overall on defense as 79 on special teams, primarily on punt coverage or as part of the field goal block unit … recorded at least two tackles in every game and had five or more tackles in four different contests … SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: began the year by notching season highs with seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in the come-from-behind win over Houston (9/4) … combined for six tackles the next two weeks to close non-conference play with four against Stephen F. Austin (9/11) and two versus Florida International (9/18) … began Big 12 play with five tackles at Texas (9/25) and two at West Virginia (10/2) … posted four tackles each of the next two games against TCU (10/9) and at Kansas (10/16) … strung together six stops versus Kansas State (10/23), including one that went for a loss … marked his most tackles during Big 12 play … followed with two tackles and a quarterback hurry at Oklahoma (10/30) … totaled five stops, including one for a loss, in the victory over Iowa State (11/13) that made the Red Raiders bowl eligible … accounted for eight stops the final two games with three versus Oklahoma State (11/20) and five at Baylor (11/27) .. had three quarterback hurries during that span, two that came versus the Cowboys … notched three tackles, including one that went for a loss, in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl versus Mississippi State (12/28) … SENIOR DECISION: elected to return to Texas Tech for a final season of eligibility as granted by the NCAA for the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.
2020 SEAS0N (JUNIOR)
Led the team in tackles during his debut season as a Red Raider … appeared and started in nine of 10 games on the season, totaling 75 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 2.0 sacks … added a pass breakup and quarterback hurry as well … ranked second on the team in tackles for loss and third for sacks … missed only the Halloween night game against Oklahoma (10/31) … totaled at least six tackles in all nine games on the season … joined Eric Monroe as the only two Red Raiders with multiple games with double-digit tackles … shared at least one tackle for a loss in seven games as well … IN NCAA RANKINGS: closed the season ranked 65th in the FBS for total tackles per game (8.3) … IN BIG 12 RANKINGS: was third in the conference for total tackles per game, trailing only Tony Fields II (West Virginia) and Garret Wallow (TCU) … averaged 7.9 tackles per game in conference games only, which ranked sixth overall … SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: opened the year with an impressive 12 tackles in the season-opening win over Houston Baptist (9/12) … marked the first time a Red Raider newcomer recorded 10 or more tackles in a debut dating back to the start of the 2000 season … stuffed Houston Baptist quarterback Jerreth Sterns on a fourth-down rushing attempt just before halftime, which helped Tech maintain a 21-10 lead heading into the break … tabbed the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following his performance … followed with eight tackles, including one for a loss, in the Big 12 opener versus Texas (9/26) … at least shared a tackle behind the line of scrimmage in each of the first four games of the season … went on the road to notch seven tackles at Kansas State (10/7) and six stops at Iowa State (10/10) … came close to double digits for tackles again in the win over West Virginia (10/24) before finishing with nine … got in the backfield for his first career sack at TCU (11/7), which coincided with six tackles … collected eight tackles in the win over Baylor (11/14) and then seven at Oklahoma State (11/28) … performance at Oklahoma State include his lone quarterback hurry and pass breakup of the season … closed the season by matching his season high with 12 tackles, which featured season highs for tackles for loss (2.0) and sacks (1.5) … shared the team high for single-game sacks on the year with Colin Schooler, who also had 1.5 sacks against the Jayhawks … AWARDS AND HONORS: honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the conference coaches … was a fourth team All-Big 12 honoree by Phil Steele Magazine … named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14, marking the fourth-consecutive season a Red Raider linebacker has garnered the league’s top weekly defensive honor.
PRIOR TO TEXAS TECH
Spent three seasons at Garden City Community College in Kansas prior to signing with the Red Raiders ... turned into one of the top junior college linebackers in the country during his final season ... three-star prospect according to ESPN and 247Sports … ranked as the No. 3 inside linebacker in the 2020 junior college class by ESPN … listed as the No. 5 inside linebacker by 247Sports … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Toledo ... 2019 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): led the nation in tackles as a sophomore en route to garnering NJCAA All-America second team honors … also a first team All-Jayhawk Conference honoree ... totaled 153 tackles over 11 games, including 10.0 for a loss and 3.5 sacks … also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble … led the junior college ranks with 13.9 tackles per game … recorded at least 20 tackles in three different games … reached the 10-tackle mark in six games overall ... career high came with 21 tackles in a victory at Iowa Central in early October … part of an 8-3 team to wrap his junior college career ... 2018 SEAS0N (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): saw action in three games as a redshirt freshman … totaled five tackles on the year … season best came with two tackles versus Fort Scott … member of a Garden City program that finished 10-1 overall with its lone loss coming in the NJCAA National Championship game ... 2017 SEAS0N (FRESHMAN): redshirt season … did not play.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Hazelwood West High School in St. Louis, Mo. … recorded 202 career tackles as a defensive end and linebacker during prep career … was also a fullback and tight end on the offensive side of the ball … led the state of Missouri in tackles as a senior in 2016 … earned first team All-Conference honors as both a junior and senior … posted 74 tackles, four sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior … selected to play in the St. Louis All-America Game following senior campaign … three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track and field … qualified for the state meet in the shot put … had offers from both Garden City C.C. and Butler C.C. coming out of high school.
PERSONAL
Krishon Merriweather … son of Tanya Merriweather … has an older sister, Anttonaya Rhodes, and a younger brother, Khamen Merriweather … pursuing a Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Closed his Red Raider career with his best season to date … among the top tackling linebackers in the country to lead a stingy Red Raider defense … started in all 13 games as the MIKE linebacker spot … one of six Red Raiders to start and play in all 13 games, including one of four to do so on the defensive side of the ball … joined defensive linemen Tony Bradford and Jaylon Hutchings as well as fellow linebacker Kosi Eldridge in starting all 13 games … led the team with 112 tackles (70 solo), the most in his Red Raider career … marked the most tackles by a Red Raider in a season since Micah Awe had 126 in 2015 and was the fourth-highest total since 2000 … tackle count included 6.0 that went for a loss and 3.0 sacks … shared the team high with two forced fumbles and was second overall with seven quarterback hurries … recorded at least four tackles in all 13 games and had eight or more stops in eight different contests, including each of the final six games to close the year … reached double digits for tackles in three different contests, all during Big 12 play … all but one shared tackle for a loss came during league play as well … credited with playing in 726 defensive snaps by Pro Football Focus, which ranked seventh on the team … listed with 19 total pressures by PFF, the most for a non-edge player or defensive lineman on the team … IN NCAA RANKINGS: among the national leaders in solo tackles as his average per game (5.4) ranked 12th in the FBS … ended the year tied for 29th in total tackles and 41st in total tackles per game (8.6) … had 98 tackles against power-five foes alone, which was eighth in the FBS … IN BIG 12 RANKINGS: led the league in solo tackles per game and was third overall in total tackles per game as well as total tackles … his 17 tackles at Oklahoma State ranked second among single-game highs in the league … SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: recorded seven tackles in back-to-back games to start the season against both Murray State (9/3) and Houston (9/10) … shared a sack with Tyree Wilson late in the first quarter of the Murray State win, which came on a 3rd-and-goal play that forced a field goal … in the backfield frequently against the Racers with a season-high two quarterback hurries … closed non-conference play with four tackles and a quarterback hurry at N.C. State (9/17) … opened Big 12 play with eight tackles and a key forced fumble in the win over Texas (9/24) … fumble came on the first play of overtime as he knocked the ball loose from Bejan Robinson on a running play for Reggie Pearson Jr. to recover … the Red Raiders connected on a field goal on the ensuing drive to win the game … followed with seven stops at Kansas State (10/1) with two quarterback hurries … set a career high with 17 tackles at Oklahoma State (10/8), the most for a Red Raider in a game since Jordyn Brooks had 19 versus the Cowboys in 2019 … marked the second-highest tackle total by a Big 12 player on the season and the most on the team … one of those tackles went for a sack, which came on Oklahoma State’s first drive of the third quarter … returned from the open week with five tackles in the win over West Virginia (10/22) before reaching double digits in each of the next two games against Baylor (10/29) and at TCU (11/5) … had a tackle for loss in both of those games, finishing with 12 stops against Baylor and then 11 at TCU … closed the regular-season with at least a shared tackle for loss in each of the final three games with nine tackles against both Kansas (11/12) and Iowa State (11/19) and eight against Oklahoma (11/26) … his TFL versus Iowa State was a 11-yard sack with Jaylon Hutchings midway through the first quarter that eventually forced a punt … combined with Dadrion Taylor-Demerson against OU for a TFL on a pass play that pushed the Sooners back from 2nd-and-5 to 3-and-10, leading to an eventual punt just before halftime … the Red Raiders ultimately got the ball back and drove down the ensuing drive for a field goal as time expired … closed his Red Raider career with eight tackles, including a sack, in the TaxAct Texas Bowl victory over Ole Miss (12/28 … sack came on Ole Miss’ second-to-last drive of the game and pushed the Rebels to a 3rd-and-17 play … AWARDS AND HONORS: tabbed an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the conference coaches … recognized on the All-Big 12 fourth team compiled by Phil Steele Magazine … POSTSEASON ALL-STAR GAME: selected to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl alongside teammate SaRodorick Thompson … first Red Raider linebacker all-time to play in the bowl games’ short existence.
2021 SEASON (SENIOR)
Ranked among Texas Tech’s leading tacklers again during second season as a Red Raider … appeared in 13 games overall with six starts … each of his six starts came in the final six games of the season … totaled 52 tackles (30 solo), including 5.5 that went for a loss and 1.0 sack … utilized in pressure situations, causing four quarterback hurries overall … closed the season ranked sixth on the team in tackles and fifth for tackles for loss … credited with appearing in 557 snaps overall on defense as 79 on special teams, primarily on punt coverage or as part of the field goal block unit … recorded at least two tackles in every game and had five or more tackles in four different contests … SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: began the year by notching season highs with seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in the come-from-behind win over Houston (9/4) … combined for six tackles the next two weeks to close non-conference play with four against Stephen F. Austin (9/11) and two versus Florida International (9/18) … began Big 12 play with five tackles at Texas (9/25) and two at West Virginia (10/2) … posted four tackles each of the next two games against TCU (10/9) and at Kansas (10/16) … strung together six stops versus Kansas State (10/23), including one that went for a loss … marked his most tackles during Big 12 play … followed with two tackles and a quarterback hurry at Oklahoma (10/30) … totaled five stops, including one for a loss, in the victory over Iowa State (11/13) that made the Red Raiders bowl eligible … accounted for eight stops the final two games with three versus Oklahoma State (11/20) and five at Baylor (11/27) .. had three quarterback hurries during that span, two that came versus the Cowboys … notched three tackles, including one that went for a loss, in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl versus Mississippi State (12/28) … SENIOR DECISION: elected to return to Texas Tech for a final season of eligibility as granted by the NCAA for the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.
2020 SEAS0N (JUNIOR)
Led the team in tackles during his debut season as a Red Raider … appeared and started in nine of 10 games on the season, totaling 75 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 2.0 sacks … added a pass breakup and quarterback hurry as well … ranked second on the team in tackles for loss and third for sacks … missed only the Halloween night game against Oklahoma (10/31) … totaled at least six tackles in all nine games on the season … joined Eric Monroe as the only two Red Raiders with multiple games with double-digit tackles … shared at least one tackle for a loss in seven games as well … IN NCAA RANKINGS: closed the season ranked 65th in the FBS for total tackles per game (8.3) … IN BIG 12 RANKINGS: was third in the conference for total tackles per game, trailing only Tony Fields II (West Virginia) and Garret Wallow (TCU) … averaged 7.9 tackles per game in conference games only, which ranked sixth overall … SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: opened the year with an impressive 12 tackles in the season-opening win over Houston Baptist (9/12) … marked the first time a Red Raider newcomer recorded 10 or more tackles in a debut dating back to the start of the 2000 season … stuffed Houston Baptist quarterback Jerreth Sterns on a fourth-down rushing attempt just before halftime, which helped Tech maintain a 21-10 lead heading into the break … tabbed the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following his performance … followed with eight tackles, including one for a loss, in the Big 12 opener versus Texas (9/26) … at least shared a tackle behind the line of scrimmage in each of the first four games of the season … went on the road to notch seven tackles at Kansas State (10/7) and six stops at Iowa State (10/10) … came close to double digits for tackles again in the win over West Virginia (10/24) before finishing with nine … got in the backfield for his first career sack at TCU (11/7), which coincided with six tackles … collected eight tackles in the win over Baylor (11/14) and then seven at Oklahoma State (11/28) … performance at Oklahoma State include his lone quarterback hurry and pass breakup of the season … closed the season by matching his season high with 12 tackles, which featured season highs for tackles for loss (2.0) and sacks (1.5) … shared the team high for single-game sacks on the year with Colin Schooler, who also had 1.5 sacks against the Jayhawks … AWARDS AND HONORS: honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the conference coaches … was a fourth team All-Big 12 honoree by Phil Steele Magazine … named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14, marking the fourth-consecutive season a Red Raider linebacker has garnered the league’s top weekly defensive honor.
PRIOR TO TEXAS TECH
Spent three seasons at Garden City Community College in Kansas prior to signing with the Red Raiders ... turned into one of the top junior college linebackers in the country during his final season ... three-star prospect according to ESPN and 247Sports … ranked as the No. 3 inside linebacker in the 2020 junior college class by ESPN … listed as the No. 5 inside linebacker by 247Sports … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Toledo ... 2019 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): led the nation in tackles as a sophomore en route to garnering NJCAA All-America second team honors … also a first team All-Jayhawk Conference honoree ... totaled 153 tackles over 11 games, including 10.0 for a loss and 3.5 sacks … also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble … led the junior college ranks with 13.9 tackles per game … recorded at least 20 tackles in three different games … reached the 10-tackle mark in six games overall ... career high came with 21 tackles in a victory at Iowa Central in early October … part of an 8-3 team to wrap his junior college career ... 2018 SEAS0N (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): saw action in three games as a redshirt freshman … totaled five tackles on the year … season best came with two tackles versus Fort Scott … member of a Garden City program that finished 10-1 overall with its lone loss coming in the NJCAA National Championship game ... 2017 SEAS0N (FRESHMAN): redshirt season … did not play.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Hazelwood West High School in St. Louis, Mo. … recorded 202 career tackles as a defensive end and linebacker during prep career … was also a fullback and tight end on the offensive side of the ball … led the state of Missouri in tackles as a senior in 2016 … earned first team All-Conference honors as both a junior and senior … posted 74 tackles, four sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior … selected to play in the St. Louis All-America Game following senior campaign … three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track and field … qualified for the state meet in the shot put … had offers from both Garden City C.C. and Butler C.C. coming out of high school.
PERSONAL
Krishon Merriweather … son of Tanya Merriweather … has an older sister, Anttonaya Rhodes, and a younger brother, Khamen Merriweather … pursuing a Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies.
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Friday, September 05
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