Not long after wrapping up spring practice, Texas Tech’s defense has a significant body blow.
In a press release, Tech announced that three football players, sophomore offensive lineman Robert Castaneda, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Trace Ellison and sophomore linebacker Dakota Allen, have been dismissed from the football program by head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The dismissals are “due to a failure to uphold student-athlete expectations.”
The most noteworthy -- and damaging -- of the trio of dismissals is Allen.
Last season, Allen was the Red Raiders’ second-leading tackler with 87. With Micah Awe (126 tackles) departed, Allen would’ve been Tech’s leading returning tackler.
Allen, who had six tackles for loss and two interceptions for good measure, started five of the 12 games in which he played last season.
Castaneda played in 13 games last season as a reserve lineman, while Ellison took a redshirt as a true freshman.