Bryce Ramirez eyes Kansas challenge for Top-10 Texas Tech
Senior linebacker Bryce Ramirez has seen nearly everything in his long Texas Tech career, but this week brings something new. For the first time, he’ll line up against Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels when the Jayhawks visit Jones AT&T Stadium for a highly anticipated blackout game. With the Red Raiders ranked inside the top 10, Ramirez and his teammates know the spotlight is brighter than ever — but the focus remains on execution, legacy, and proving their place among the nation’s best.
Ramirez ready for Daniels test
Texas Tech senior linebacker Bryce Ramirez has been around long enough to face nearly every Big 12 quarterback. But somehow, he has never shared the field with Kansas signal-caller Jalon Daniels.
“It is weird how it played out,” Ramirez said. “He was injured like every time we played him, so I’m excited to play him finally. It’ll be huge. He’s a really good player. He poses a great challenge for us. And I love challenges. We as a team love challenges.”
Ramirez compared Daniels to Utah’s quarterback Devon Dampier earlier this year, but emphasized the difference in physicality. “He’s a bigger guy,” Ramirez said. “The quarterback from Utah was a little smaller… Jalon is a lot bigger guy. He’s tougher to tackle. He’ll fall forward when you tackle him. He’s not going to go down easy.”
Linebacker brotherhood powers Texas Tech defense
Ramirez pointed to the bond within the linebacker core as a cornerstone of the Red Raider defense. The group has been together for years, and that familiarity has built trust that shows up on Saturdays. From summer workouts to film sessions, the linebackers have grown inseparable, creating a culture of accountability and constant competition.
“Those are my guys for life,” Ramirez said. “I’ll be able to call them, text them whenever for the rest of my life. I wake up thinking about them and what I can do to help them get better. We feed off each other every day.”
That unity has helped Texas Tech weather adversity and sharpen its defensive identity. Ramirez explained that the linebackers push each other to higher standards, making the group not only more physical but also more mentally prepared for every opponent. For him, the bond isn’t just friendship — it’s the heartbeat of a defense that prides itself on toughness and discipline.
Ramirez on freshman LB Brock Golwas
While Ramirez spoke often about veterans and legacy, he also lit up when asked about true freshman linebacker Brock Golwas. He described Golwas as a “goofball” off the field but emphasized his passion for Texas Tech football.
“He’s gonna be a great football player here at Texas Tech,” Ramirez said. “If you go up to Brock and ask him a random score from any Texas Tech game while he’s been alive, he’ll be able to tell you. He loves this program.”
Ramirez added that Golwas’s enthusiasm is contagious and that his growth excites older teammates. “I’m so excited to just watch him grow,” Ramirez said. “Even when I’m not here, I’ll come back and I know he’ll continue to get better.”
Blackout crowd expected at the Jones
Ramirez also knows the atmosphere at Jones AT&T Stadium will be electric. Saturday’s blackout crowd is expected to be one of the loudest stages yet for a program now sitting inside the national top 10. For veterans like Ramirez, that type of environment is both a reward and a responsibility — proof of how far Texas Tech has come under Joey McGuire, and a reminder that the fans expect nothing less than maximum effort.
“There’s nothing like running out of that tunnel onto the field at the Jones and just hearing everybody yell, hearing the band play,” Ramirez said. “On third down, you can’t even hear yourself think. It’s amazing. So you can only imagine what the other team is thinking about.”
The senior emphasized that the crowd can become an extension of the defense, creating chaos for opposing offenses while energizing the Red Raiders. Ramirez believes that synergy between players and fans has already swung moments this season — and it could again against Kansas in a game where every possession matters.
Final thoughts
From finally getting the chance to face Jalon Daniels to embracing Texas Tech’s championship vision, Ramirez spoke with the perspective of a veteran who has lived through the program’s transformation. He has experienced the grind of building seasons, the frustration of setbacks, and now the pride of seeing the Red Raiders climb into national relevance.
“I’m excited just to go to work with my teammates every day,” he said. “We’re proud of what we’ve built, but we know where we want to go. And we’re not finished yet.”
For Ramirez, the rise of Texas Tech isn’t just about rankings or headlines — it’s about proving that the Red Raiders can sustain success and compete for championships. His words reflected both urgency and confidence, serving as a reminder that the foundation laid by veterans will shape the program long after they are gone.
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