Recalling Previous Texas Tech Quarterback Battles

2013: Baker Mayfield vs. Davis Webb vs. Michael Brewer

2018 is not the first time Kingsbury has had three viable QB candidates.  But it is the first time that all three made it to fall camp healthy.

In his first season, Kingsbury had an unusual QB situation to sort through.  Entering the summer, most believed that sophomore Michael Brewer would easily win the starting job that he’d been groomed for.

But during the summer, the Austin, Texas native injured his back while wake boarding and when he was unable to participate in August practices, Kingsbury was left with two true freshmen. And again, an injury (or rather an illness) would help decide the race.

After dropping 40 pounds in the days leading up to the start of the season as a result of an unexpected illness, Webb was unable to beat out walk-on Baker Mayfield.  Mayfield’s mobility and knack for improvisation was a perfect fit behind a shaky offensive line and he helped Tech to a 2-0 record.

In week-three, Webb entered in relief of an injured Mayfield in the third quarter of the Big 12 opener against TCU.  Webb tossed a game-winning TD leading Tech to the upset and a top-25 ranking.

The duo would split the starts the rest of the way that year with Webb turning in the better season.  2013was capped by a 37-23 Holiday Bowl win over No. 14 Arizona State in which Webb was named the MVP after tossing for 403 yards and 4 TDs.

As we all know, Mayfield left the program prior to the bowl game after not being named the starter.  Brewer would also leave following the 2013 season leaving Webb as the entrenched starter for 2014.

This QB conundrum was far from an ideal situation for a first-time 34-year-old college head coach to have to navigate in his first season.  But Kingsbury was to be commended or leading his team to an 8-5 season with two true freshmen QBs making every start.  Surprisingly, that season still stands as the best of Kingsbury’s tenure.