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Texas Tech Football: What To Watch For In Today’s Spring Game

By Matthew Conner

Nov 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Kliff Kingsbury with wide receiver Jonathan Giles (9) before the game against the Baylor Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Kliff Kingsbury with wide receiver Jonathan Giles (9) before the game against the Baylor Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Justin Stockton (4) tries to elude a tackle by Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks safety Zach Starnes (6) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Justin Stockton (4) tries to elude a tackle by Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks safety Zach Starnes (6) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

5. The Running Backs

In the “Air Raid Offense” no position group other than (quarterback) is more integral to the system than the running backs.  In 2016, the Red Raider running backs disappointed mightily.

Junior Justin Stockton entered the season poised to take over the lead back role from 2015 star DeAndre Washington.  However, he was unable to pick up tough yards between the tackles and he eventually lost his starting job.

Sophomore DeMarcus Felton and freshman Da’Leon Ward would take over the primary rushing chores for the rest of the season.  While both performed well at times, each suffered injuries that kept them from developing any consistent rhythm.

As a result, Ward led the team with just 428 yards rushing and no Texas Tech running back scored more than three touchdowns on the year.  All three are back and they must prove that they are capable to giving the 2017 offense a potent found threat.

The Texas Tech offense has featured star running backs like Washington, Shannon Woods, Taurean Henderson and Ricky Williams over the past two decades.  Whenever the running backs have excelled the offense has been almost unstoppable.

That must be the case for the running backs next season, especially with a first-time starter at quarterback.  Stockton, Felton and Ward (along with JUCO signee Desmond Nisby) must help take the pressure off Nick Shimonek in early season tests against Houston and Arizona State.

Reports from Texas Tech spring practice have Stockton running with the starting offense.  However, this is likely a result of his status as the only senior running back.

He is not the kind of back that can carry the ball 15-20 times a game.  Rather, he is a change of pace back capable of taking a draw or a screen pass all the way to the end zone.

Felton and Ward are more like Washington (who rushed for over 1,000 yards in both 2014 and 2015).  Both have excellent vision and are shifty enough to make defenders miss near the line of scrimmage.

Today, it will be worth noting how new running backs coach Jabbar Juluke and offensive coordinator Eric Morris divide the running back workload.  In most years, Texas Tech has used one primary back as the focus of the offense.  Today’s scrimmage will give us a clue about which runner has separated himself from the field at this critical position.

Next: Takeaways From The Football Scrimmage In Midland

The Texas Tech football spring game will be aired live on Fox Sports Southwest.  After the game, check in with Wreck ‘Em Red for continuing coverage of Texas Tech football.

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