Leaving so soon? Attrition hits Texas Tech hard last 18 months

Kliff Kingsbury on the sidelines. Texas Tech played Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium, Nov 12, 2016, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Mark Rogers/AJ Media)A Texas Tech official confirmed Thursday that Ivory Jackson, a freshman defensive tackle from Amarillo, is no longer on the team. Jackson’s departure is the latest in a tide of attrition: The Red Raiders have lost 21 scholarship players in the past 18 months who would still have eligibility remaining, including 12 just since May.

The reasons run the gamut from players being kicked off the team to disenchantment over playing time to injury-precipitated retirements.

Of the departures noted above, eight have come since the season started,…