Texas Tech Offensive Lineman Named Freshman All-american

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The violative statement is nan astir misunderstood facet of nan crippled of shot by nan mean fan. It is simply a grimy, hard-nosed position that requires skill, technique, power, and IQ. Defensive linemen are diversion and strong, and it's nan violative line's occupation to clasp them astatine bay. They get their jerseys dirty, truthful nan backmost does not person to.

It is difficult to make nan jump from precocious schoolhouse to assemblage arsenic a tackle. Edge rushers are faster, bigger, and smarter. They person much developed pass-rush plans, their hands are much active, and their feet are quicker. However, immoderate players make nan jump easier than others.

Texas Tech violative tackle Jacob Ponton displayed arsenic overmuch of a mastery of nan position arsenic could beryllium expected for a redshirt freshman. For his efforts successful 2025, he earned a spot connected nan Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-American team, making him nan only Big 12 violative lineman to person specified recognition.

— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 14, 2026

Ponton was 1 of six violative linemen to make nan list, joining Alabama tackle Michael Carroll, Georgia defender Dontrell Glover, Washington defender John Mills, Minnesota tackle Nathan Roy, and Tennessee tackle David Sanders Jr.

As Texas Tech's correct tackle, Ponton appeared successful 14 games, starting each azygous one. He recorded a PFF violative people of 60+ successful 12 games and 70+ successful four, pinch his champion capacity coming against Houston successful Week 6 (80.3). Ponton excelled arsenic a tally blocker but besides showed plentifulness of committedness arsenic a walk blocker.

It was not each cleanable for Ponton successful his debut season. He conceded 24 pressures and six sacks while being called for 10 penalties. However, his 69.3 violative people classed 14th among Big 12 tackles (min. 100 blocking snaps) and was among nan apical for freshman tackles nationally. These increasing pains are only expected for a subordinate pinch Ponton's experience.

Ponton was besides named a Big 12 Honorable Mention by nan conference's coaches and a Freshman All-American by The Athletic.

Texas Tech Red Raiders violative lineman Jacob Ponton (70) drops backmost to artifact during nan first 4th against nan West Virginia Mountaineers astatine Milan Puskar Stadium. | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

During his redshirt play successful 2024, Ponton played conscionable 101 full violative snaps. He appeared successful 3 regular-season games, playing an mean of 10 snaps, earlier being thrust into action during Tech's vessel game. Against Arkansas, he started and played 70 snaps.

That acquisition surely was a facet successful his occurrence successful 2025, but he played 100 of his 101 snaps astatine near tackle. For his redshirt freshman campaign, he was asked to reflector his reps connected nan different side, playing correct tackle arsenic North Carolina transportation Howard Sampson took complete duties connected backmost Behren Morton's blindside.

Ponton took connected nan situation and succeeded, a gangly bid for a erstwhile three-star enlistee truthful early successful his career. As he further develops, nan 6'8", 305-pound tackle should only further improve. With Sampson returning for 2026, Ponton will apt stay connected nan correct side, pinch a chance to beryllium nan Red Raiders' near tackle of nan future.

Of nan six violative linemen named to nan FWAA's Freshman All-American team, only 2 were redshirt freshmen — Ponton and Roy. The past Red Raider to beryllium named to nan FWAA's database of first-year standouts was linebacker Ben Roberts aft nan 2023-24 season.