Texas Tech football: Alan Bowman excited about Matt Wells

Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman met with the media Saturday where he confirmed that he is remaining at Texas Tech and is excited about new head coach Matt Wells and his staff.

New Texas Tech football head coach Matt Wells has already won his first, and most important recruiting battle.  Before trying to woo any high school prospects, Wells first had to make sure that his starting quarterback, Alan Bowman, was on board and ready to lead the Red Raiders through this time of transition.

Many wondered if Bowman, who was recruited by former head coach Kliff Kignsbury and came to prominence under his guidance in a stellar freshman season that was cut short by injury, would look to transfer as so many college football players do in today’s age.  Fortunately, the Grapevine, Texas native put to rest any and all questions about his commitment to Texas Tech.

"“I’m here for Texas Tech. I love the university, love the team” Bowman said. “I met with the coaches yesterday, really enjoyed ’em, so I’m excited for it.”More from Wreck'Em RedTexas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these MountaineersTexas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 titleTexas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives"

Saturday marked the first time that Bowman had spoken to the media as a Red Raider since, under the former staff, freshmen were not made available for reporters.  Speaking with poise and confidence, Bowman came off as a leader who will set the tone for the team in his second season.

In eight games this year, Bowman passed for 2,638 yards, 17 touchdowns and only seven interceptions assuming the starting role in week-two after week-one starter McLane Carter offered a high ankle sprain.  Now, he looks forward to working with his new offensive coordinator David Yost who has coached high-profile quarterbacks at Missouri and Oregon.

"“Putting dudes in the NFL speaks volumes for who you are as a coach” he said.  “So I think having those guys be in the NFL is huge.”"

In 17 years as an assistant at Missouri, which included four as offensive coordinator, Yost worked with future NFL quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert, Brad Smith and Chase Daniel.  And in 2016 while at Oregon as quarterbacks coach, he helped groom true freshman Justin Hebert who is a 2018 Heisman Trophy candidate and is expected to be a first round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.

Under Yost this year, Utah State averaged 47.2 points per game, third most in the NCAA.  Meanwhile, Texas Tech averaged 52 points in games started and finished by Alan Bowman.  But in the four contests to end the season, Tech averaged just  27.5 points  as Bowman missed the final three-and-a-half games with his second collapsed lung of the season.

As for that injury, Bowman said that he should be ready to go next season.  Bowman missed parts of six games after suffering the injury first against West Virginia in late September and then having a reoccurrence of it just before halftime of the Oklahoma game.

"“They said like 10 weeks until it’s completely healed” Bowman said.  “There’s scar tissue on the lung and whenever the hole scars over, then it actually is stronger than your lung muscle is. So next season, perfectly fine. No problems.”"

Now, Texas Tech fans can look forward to a 2019 season that should see the Red Raider offense return all but two starters (provided that receiver Antoine Wesley does not declare for the NFL Draft).  Tech will return its top two running backs in Da’Leon Ward and Ta’Zhawn Henry as well as six of its top seven receivers giving the new staff plenty of weapons to build around.  Fortunately, we also know hat Texas Tech will have its star quarterback as well.