The Daily Toreador - Student Newspaper of Texas Tech

Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Texas Tech Athletics

Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill flashed a heavy-duty afro before most Texas Tech students were born, and now that those days are long gone, it's safe to say he holds a deep appreciation for someone with a lot of hair.

Specifically the hair of strong side linebacker Bront Bird.

"I like it," McNeill said of the sophomore's long blonde locks. "I'm a baby boomer. I'm a 60s, 70s kid, so it doesn't bother me. I don't have any hair, so I like seeing somebody with hair."

McNeill also likes seeing someone making plays, which is something Bird is proving he can do in his first year as a starter.

Bird broke out in a tackling frenzy during a 35-19 win against Nevada - totaling 14 tackles and one sack, nearly surpassing the 16 tackles he recorded during his freshman campaign.

This season, Bird's 21 tackles trail only cornerback Jamar Wall, who has 22, and middle linebacker Brian Duncan, who has 28.

"He's real rangy," Tech coach Mike Leach said. "He's made a lot of plays. He's getting more and more kind of disciplined. I think that he's gonna be really good. His best days are ahead of him."

The 6-foot-3, 226-pound Bird, a native of Odessa, said it feels good to finally contribute to the team on a larger, more consistent basis, unlike when he was a backup who received little reps last season.

"I'm loving it," he said. "You're part of the team more and everything like that. Not to say that any guy that's second string isn't, but first string, you feel like the weight of the defense is on your shoulders. I love that, and I strive for that. It's been awesome. I'm soaking up the moment."

His ascent to the starting strong side linebacker role had a lot to do with his athleticism and length, McNeill said.

At Permian High School, Bird was a versatile weapon.

Playing offense and defense, he earned All-District honors at wide receiver and strong safety.

At wideout, he caught 45 balls for 824 yards and eight touchdowns, while recording 73 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries on defense.

It was that type of athleticism that allowed Bird to bump sophomore Brian Duncan from strong side to middle linebacker - where Duncan said he is more comfortable.

Also with veteran Marlon Williams manning the weak side, Tech's linebackers are having a productive season.

Bird said the new system McNeill installed after he took over for former defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich is a more simple approach to gap assignments and it gets easier each day he spends time in it.

Continued...

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