Post-Spring Texas Tech Preview

An aura of excitement currently surrounds the Texas Tech football program like it rarely has before the last few months. After, Tommy Tuberville left the program for the University of Cincinnati athletic director Kirby Hocutt made arguably the most popular hire in program history, naming Kliff Kingsbury, who played quarterback at Tech, head coach. Last year Kingsbury was the offensive coordinator for Texas A&M who went 11-2. Aggie signal-caller Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy and Kingsbury was named a finalist for the Frank Broyles Award, which is given to the best assistant coach in college football.

The 33-year-old Kliff Kingsbury is third youngest coach in the football bowl subdivision, behind Toledo coach Matt Campbell and Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck. Kingsbury brought in what he promised to be a “young and energetic staff”, many of them younger than himself. Five assistant coaches played football for Texas Tech: Sonny Cumbie, Eric Morris, Mike Smith, Trey Haverty, and Kevin Curtis. The youngest staff member is Co-Offensive Coordinator and Inside Receivers coach Eric Morris, who played receiver for the Red Raiders from 2005-2008.

Quarterback Seth Doege leaves after starting for two seasons to graduation. Doege threw for 39 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last season. His 16 interceptions were the most in the Big 12 and the most by a Texas Tech quarterback since 2004. Texas Tech coaches and fans will be hoping for more consistent play from sophomore Michael Brewer this season. Though Kingsbury hasn’t named a starting quarterback yet, Brewer is believed to be the heavy favorite. He is currently competing with freshman Davis Webb. While at Lake Travis, Brewer won every game he started and lead them to two championships.

Matt Wallerstedt is Texas Tech’s fifth defensive coordinator in as many years. The defenses under Tuberville struggled mightily. Last year’s defense saw improvement but still finish 92^nd in scoring defense. Wallerstedt has eight years as a defensive coordinator under his belt and was the linebackers coach at Texas A&M last year. A new defensive coordinator means Texas Tech will once again be changing their defensive scheme. This time the Red Raiders will be going to a 3-4, three defensive lineman and four linebackers. Branden Jackson and Pete Robertson moved from defensive end to the new linebacker spot. However, defensive end Delvon Simmons transferred to USC, and Jackson was moved back to defensive end. In his introductory press conference, Kingsbury said Texas Tech will have “an attack defense”, so expect plenty of rushing. The defense returns all but one player from the two-deep of the front seven.

Kingsbury said the offense will adapt to the personnel they have, so expect the run-to-pass ratio will vary year to year. However, expect the air raid to continue. The Red Raiders return a considerable amount of firepower. Eric Ward decided to return for his senior season rather than entering the NFL Draft after catching 82 passes for 1053 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jace Amaro is back and healthy after being injured midseason. He was leading the team in receiving at the time of his injury. Receiver Bradley Marquez is returning from injury. Senior receiver Javon Bell, however, is no longer on the team.

Texas Tech has solid depth at the running back position. Leading rusher Kenny Williams is back for his junior year of rushing for 824 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry last season. SaDale Foster also returns after rushing for 451 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry last season, but hasx been moved to inside receiver. DeAndre Washington redshirted last season after tearing his ACL during his freshman year. He rushed for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry that season. Freshman Quinton White has been impressive in spring practice, and will likely see playing time as well.

The Red Raiders lose four starters from their secondary. Bruce Jones returns after starting six games last season. Losing four-year starter Cody Davis and three-year starter D.J. Johnson at safety could be a significant blow. They are expected to be replaced by Tre’ Porter and J.J. Gaines. Porter started multiple games his freshman and sophomore year at both safety and corner. He also saw significant time at nickelback last season. The second cornerback position is wide open. La’Darius Newbold, Derrick Mays, Olaoluwa Falemi, and Jeremy Reynolds are battling for that spot. Falemi came out of the spring listed as the starter in that spot. Derrick Mays started multiple games his sophomore year after being replaced due to poor performance. Jarvis Phillips, who most likely would have won the nickelback spot, has left the program. That means the nickel spot is now wide open .

The offensive line lost three starters from last season. Le’Raven Clark and Beau Carpenter are the return starters. The other three offensive line spots are open. Le’Raven Clark was named to the Freshman All-American team last season and is considered the team’s best offensive lineman. Alfredo Morales started multiple games last season, but is currently coming off injury.