Key returnees: Mychealon Thomas, Nick McCann, Joseph Wallace, Broderick Washington, Talor Nunez, Lonzell Gilmore, Noah Jones, Kaleb Hill, Houston Miller, Michael Mays, Eli Howard and Zach Barnes
Key losses: Kirby Vinson, John Crow, Clarence Henderson, Ondre Pipkins, Gary Moore and Breiden Fehoko
Newcomers: Nelson Mbanasor and Tyler Carr
Why 2017 could be better: Fresh talent. Houston Miller was a key signing by the Red Raiders last year. Miller was redshirted and did not see the playing field. He is a new face for a defensive line with no coach and without leader Breiden Fehoko, who announced his transfer from Texas Tech.