Texas Tech’s back end is starting to look like a defensive advantage, safety Malik Esquerra says

Texas Tech enters the 2026 season with a familiar promise, an offense built for explosive production and playmaking. But in a program where defensive continuity often gets less attention, safety Malik Esquerra is pointing to the back end as the unit where improvement could be most noticeable, especially as Texas Tech continues to work under defensive coaching led by Rob Greene.

Esquerra’s message is that Greene’s approach has changed how the secondary looks and operates. In his framing, it is less about one isolated moment and more about consistency across the secondary, from communication and spacing to how defenders respond once plays are in motion. That kind of development can matter immediately in the Big 12, where quarterbacks routinely get chances to extend plays and receivers can find space quickly.

The timing is notable because defensive wrinkles and coverage structure tend to show up first in practice before they stabilize in games. When a safety describes the secondary as becoming more reliable, it usually implies that the coverage concepts are starting to “fit” with the personnel, and that the players are spending less time thinking through what to do and more time reacting to what the offense is giving them.

Texas Tech’s larger defensive picture is also built around the idea of development rather than instant transformation. A secondary can be talented and still look unsettled early in a season, particularly when the learning curve involves new calls, adjustments, or responsibilities in different game situations. Esquerra’s comments suggest the Red Raiders are trying to reduce that learning gap before the schedule forces it.

While the tone of the report is optimistic, it is still an offseason evaluation, not a season result. Defensive coaching can be difficult to translate into a single metric, and the real test will come when Texas Tech faces high-tempo passing attacks in live-game conditions. For now, Esquerra’s perspective places the spotlight on the secondary as a potential identity piece, one that can keep the defense connected even when the offense has the ball less than desired.

Going forward, the key thing to watch is whether the improvement in the back end shows up in game-to-game fundamentals. That includes coverage discipline, how quickly the unit communicates on rotations, and whether Texas Tech’s defensive backs can sustain their technique after play action or when routes develop into improvisational windows.

If the secondary takes a measurable step, it can change how opponents approach Texas Tech. In the Big 12, games often swing on third downs and late-game passing efficiency, and safeties are central to that outcome, especially when they help manage deep threats and drive-to-short decisions across the field. Esquerra’s confidence in Greene’s influence sets up a storyline that will be worth tracking as the season progresses.