During his first
several months on campus, Khalid Naziruddin earned
a reputation for being a weight-room warrior.
He's not a bad football player either.
Naziruddin, who came to Texas Tech last fall as
a walk-on transfer from Division III Howard Payne,
has been promoted to first-team right cornerback.
Defensive backs coach Dave Brown said the decision
was made after coaches reviewed video of the Red
Raiders' scrimmage Saturday.
"He had no missed tackles," Brown said. "No one
caught the ball on him for about six opportunities
that he had, and he made the play every time with
a variety of receivers and running backs. He
tackled well and played hard, had no mental
mistakes and did a good job out there."
|
| Robin O'Shaughnessy / A-J
Photo |
| Texas Tech cornerback Khalid
Naziruddin (26), shown contesting a pass to L.A.
Reed in practice last week, has been promoted to
the first team.
| |
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Naziruddin
last played in 2002, when he was credited with 58
tackles and two interceptions for a 9-1 team at
Howard Payne in Brownwood. Wanting to play at a
bigger school, he transferred to Tech in 2003 and
sat out last season.
He's originally from Class 5A Spring Westfield,
a suburban Houston high school.
The other players at right cornerback are
senior Jabari Smith, who started eight games last
year, and redshirt freshman Chris Parker. All
three have gotten chances with the first team.
Brown characterized Naziruddin as "the starter
for this week," but said he has to keep playing
well to start the Sept. 4 opener at Southern
Methodist.
"Every so often, we look at our players and try
a guy as a starter to see how he responds and how
he fits in," Brown said. "Jabari's started, and
Chris has started (in practice). It's not over and
done with yet.
"He's done a good job this whole camp. He's
gotten himself noticed, and he works hard and is
playing good. He's got the opportunity right now."
Naziruddin, a junior, was not available for
comment Monday. It was the players' first day off
since workouts started Aug. 11.
During his redshirt year, Naziruddin first made
his mark in the weight room, his 350-pound bench
press ranking him among the team's strongest
players pound for pound. In March, for the team's
"Night of Champions" strength and conditioning
exhibition, he was one of 13 players chosen for
the bench press.
Brown said he's been pleased with Naziruddin's
consistency and competitiveness during preseason
practice.
"If someone catches the ball on him, he's right
there," Brown said. "He works hard. He never gives
up. He really pushes himself. He's a quick learner
and very focused."
The Raiders have tried Naziruddin at both right
corner, left corner and in nickel and dime
pass-defense packages.
Sophomore Antonio Huffman is in the lead to
start at left cornerback with senior Jamaal
Jackson and junior SirDon Lewis behind him. Lewis
has been out since Thursday with an injured left
ankle.
don.williams@lubbockonline.com 766-8734
