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Texas Tech football: Players that helped themselves most in fall camp

By Matthew Conner

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 25: The Texas Tech Red Raiders flag flies outside the stadium before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys September 25, 2014 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Red Raiders 45-35. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 25: The Texas Tech Red Raiders flag flies outside the stadium before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys September 25, 2014 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Red Raiders 45-35. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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DB Zech McPhearson

At first glance, it is hard to say that a former 4-star DB is a bit of a surprise in any fall camp.  But before we just take for granted what Penn State grad transfer Zech McPhearson has accomplished during fall camp, we must remember that he’s won a starting job among a rather strong group of corners.

It isn’t as if he came into a situation like Bonney did last year when Tech was just desperate for warm bodies in the defensive backfield with Jah’Shawn Johnson and Octavious Morgan injured.  This year, Tech returned four corners in Douglas Coleman, Adrian Frye, DaMarcus Fields and Des Smith who all played significant roles in 2018.  What’s more, there were quality reserves in the mix as well in the likes of Adam Beck, John Davis, and Thomas Leggett.

So McPhearson was not just handed a job when he arrived.  He earned it.   And when he proved to be capable of starting this year, he allowed the defensive coaching staff to feel more confident in their decision to move Frye and Coleman to safety where the team had to replace both of last year’s starters.

The native of Maryland has to be chomping at the bit to start after being used mainly on special teams at Penn State.  In his career, he’s had just 14 tackles and is yet to register his first career interception.

But that should change this year as he will start (or play a large number of snaps) for the first time as a collegiate.  In being one of the best players on the defense this fall, he’s poised for a breakout season this year and hopefully, he will live up to the incredible hype that surrounded him when he came out of high school when he held offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State.

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