Texas Tech football: Early 2020 signee superlatives

Big man on campus: OL Ethan Carde

If everything really is bigger in Texas, the Red Raiders are trying to make certain that applies to offensive linemen.  That’s because for the second-straight year Wells has landed an offensive tackle that instantly becomes one of the highest peaks in the state.

If Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet in elevation is Texas’ tallest natural feature, 7-foot, 345-pound 2019 signee Trevor Roberson from Wellington is a close second.  But giving him a run for his money is 6-foot-8 JUCO transfer Ethan Carde who checks in at a paltry 325 pounds.  Someone get him some Whataburger before he blows away in the West Texas wind!

With three years of eligibility left, the Florida native could be a three-year starter if he wins one of the open tackle jobs this offseason.  And being as he was rated the No. 18 JUCO tackle in the nation, there’s reason to believe he has a good shot.

Though Roberson might be a year from being ready to crack the two-deep, imagine just how imposing the Tech offensive line could be if he and Carde eventually are the starting tackles together.  What’s more, you have to wonder if Tech will use both as defensive tackles on the field goal block unit.

According to 247Sports, Carde is actually the lowest-rated player to sign with Tech today but we’ve already learned that those numbers don’t preclude a player form being an instant contributor.  Some recruiting services had SaRodorick Thompson as a 2-star player in 2018 and 2019 signee Dadrion Taylor played more than almost any freshman this fall despite being the second-lowest-rated player in his class.

If nothing else, Carde gives Tech another viable option along the offensive line where injuries are almost a given each season.   And if the old tradition of having your biggest guys come off the bus first holds true, Tech could sure make a statement by having Roberson and Carde as the first ones to lead their team into opposing stadiums.  Hopefully, they both prove that they can play a little football as well.