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Texas Tech football: 4 players Red Raiders can’t lose this season

By Matthew Conner

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 24: T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders catches a pass for a touchdown defended by Davante Davis #18 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 24: T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders catches a pass for a touchdown defended by Davante Davis #18 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

OT – Travis Bruffy or Terence Steele

It would be nearly impossible to rate one of Texas Tech’s two senior offensive tackles as more important than the other.  So I am listing both right tackle Travis Bruffy and left tackle Terence Steele together here because losing either one would have far-reaching ramifications.

This pair bookends the Red Raider offensive line giving Tech one of the most experienced tackle tandems in the modern era of the program.  Bruffy has started 22 games over the past two seasons while Steele has started every one of his 37 career games as a Red Raider.

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Should that tandem remain healthy this year, the Red Raider offense line figures to be in great shape.  That’s because sophomore Dawson Deaton would be able to slide in to the center position between senior left guard Madison Akamnonou and junior right guard Jack Anderson.

But if one of the tackles go down, the line would go into a state of flux.  Last year, Deaton made one start at left tackle and one at left guard as he played the role of the sixth offensive lineman ready to backup any position on the field.

While Deaton would likely be capable of being an adequate replacement level tackle in a pinch, Tech needs him at center in order for the line to be at its best.  That’s because the other alternative at center is senior Bailey Smith.

Last year, Smith was rather unimpressive in his two starts for injured starter Paul Stawarz.  Though Tech won both games, he was part of a patchwork offensive line that was dominated by TCU in Ft. Worth as Tech gained only 353 yards and scored just 17 points.  At times, Smith struggled with low snaps while at other times he seemed to lack the strength to win one-on-one battles.

Unfortunately, the depth along the offensive line is less than ideal in year-one of the Matt Wells era.  Behind Bruffy and Steele at tackle, there are no ready-to-play answers.

2019’s top OT signee, Trevor Roberson is a long way from being ready to take on a starting role as the 6-foot-11, 350-pounder needs to develop his technique and work on turning his body into a legitimate Big 12 physique after playing 2-A football last season.  Meanwhile, junior Zach Adams is yet to make a start as a Red Raider and missed all of last year to injury.

Going further down the roster,  sophomore Casey Verhulst spent all of last year on the scout team and redshirt freshman Weston Wright has not seen a single snap as a collegiate thus far. We could continue on but it would just be belaboring the point.

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The Red Raider offensive line looks to be in solid shape this fall with four of five starters returning and Deaton ready to step in.  There is some talent on the second team at guard, especially in the form of sophomore Demarcus Marshall but no player of that pedigree is waiting in the wings at tackle.  That’s why the Red Raiders must hope and pray that both Travis Bruffy and Terence Steele can say on the filed for all 12 games this year.

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