Texas Tech football's Marquis Waters signs with New York Jets as undrafted free agent

Texas Tech football safety Marquis Waters is getting his shot in the NFL a year later than expected. The New York Jets acquired Waters as an undrafted free agent on Saturday.

Waters transferred to Texas Tech after he started 35 games in four years at Duke. He came in planning to play one year for the Red Raiders and declare for the draft, but suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the 2021 Big 12 opener in 2021 ended his season.

Waters came back in 2022 and thrived in the scheme installed by new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter. The Associated Press and Pro Football Focus named Waters first-team All-Big 12, though he still wasn't invited to any postseason all-star games or the NFL combine.

So the player who answers to "Mud" will now have to earn his keep the hard way.

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Texas Tech football safety Marquis Waters: The positives

Deployed in or near the box this past season and called upon to support the run, rush the passer and cover shallow zones, Waters was a template for DeRuyter's Star position. He was credited with 60 tackles, seven quarterback pressures and 13 tackles for loss, leading FBS defensive backs in the latter category.

That's provided one considered him a defensive back. The 6-foot-1, 219-pound Waters functioned more often as a linebacker than a safety in the scheme. Edge rusher Tyree Wilson, drafted No. 7 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, and Waters both lined up to the field, or wide side, and wreaked havoc with pass protectors.

DeRuyter called Waters "a dynamic player". Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire, who has been on teams with both, compares Waters to Jalen Pitre, the former Baylor all-American who made 147 tackles as a Houston Texans rookie.

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The concerns

Waters' good size and muscular physique come in handy defending the run and playing around the line of scrimmage, but he wasn't asked to play much deep safety during his two seasons at Texas Tech, so his ability to cover down the field might be a question in scouts' minds.

In 61 games over six college seasons, Waters had only five interceptions.

Final thoughts

Waters was a productive player throughout his college career. In addition to his production last season, he ranked among Duke's top three tacklers three seasons in a row. To get his foot in the door in the NFL, he'll probably have to make plays on special teams, but he could well be cut out for that.

Looking ahead: Texas Tech could return a lot of veteran defenders in '23, but big hole looms on unit's wide side

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football's Marquis Waters signs with New York Jets as undrafted free agent