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Texas Tech football: Positions that might take a step back in 2019

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Antoine Wesley #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes the catch against Kris Boyd #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the 2nd half of the game on November 10, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas defeated Texas Tech 41-34. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Antoine Wesley #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes the catch against Kris Boyd #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the 2nd half of the game on November 10, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas defeated Texas Tech 41-34. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /

Kicker / Punter

Texas Tech fans don’t want to hear this but this year could be another wild ride on the kicking front.  That’s because Tech is having to replace last year’s All-Big 12 placekicker Clayton Hatfield and honorable-mention All-Big 12 punter Dominic Panazzolo.

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That tandem was one of only three teammate duos in 2018 to be named semifinalists for their respective position’s national awards.  Hatfield hit 17 of 19 field goals and all 48 of his extra point attempts last season.

Meanwhile,  21 of Panazzolo’s 52 punts were downed inside the 20 while only only four of his punts went for a touchback (7.1 percent) and he limited opponents to only six returns on the season.  Because of his rugby kicking style, which made punts nearly difficult to return, the Australian was a true weapon when it came to the field position game.

This year, new special teams coordinator Mark Tommerdahl, will have to figure out how to build a solid kicking game despite tremendous youth and inexperience on the roster.  JUCO transfer Jonathan Garibay went 9-12 on field goals last year at Riverside C.C. while making 46-50 extra point tries.

Meanwhile, freshman Austin McNamara could potentially handle both the kicking and punting chores.  The Arizona native was the top high school punter in the 2019 class averaging 42.6 yards per kick.  He also made 12 field goals, including one from 45 yards.

Also, Tech added LaGrange, TX kicker Alan Orona as a walk-on.  Offered a scholarship by the Kingsbury staff, Orona has decided to walk on at Tech despite having his scholarship offer pulled by the Wells staff.

Next. Position groups that should improve in 2019. dark

It is hard to imagine Tech receiving the type of excellence from its kicking specialists that it got last year.  Hopefully the kicking game will not be as disastrous as it was in 2017 but it almost certainly is not going to be the best in the Big 12 like it was in 2018.

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