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Texas Tech: Reactions to Matt Wells’ first presser of fall camp

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks on during the second half of the college football game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 05, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks on during the second half of the college football game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 05, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Head coach Matt Rhule of the Baylor Bears visits with head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders . (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Head coach Matt Rhule of the Baylor Bears visits with head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders . (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Tight end depth

One of the position groups that remains a huge concern is tight end.  That’s because Tech has only one proven commodity at that spot and it is debatable just how proven senior Travis Koontz is after he caught only 10 passes for 152 yards last season.  Still, he is the unquestioned starter.  With that in mind, Wells was asked how the depth behind the former JUCO transfers is shaping up.

"“Yeah, it’s gonna be a good competition,” Wells said.  “Travis, I like the way he’s come back off of quarantine and through the summer he’s done good work.  Travis is a guy that seems like how he should as a second-year junior college player in this offense and seems more confident in what he’s doing and I think he’ll be a good player for us. “But where are the other reps coming from?  Certainly, a good question you know [Connor] Killians’s played for really the last two years in a role and always had a good role and he wants to expand that role.  [Jason] Lloyd’s been brought in here to provide depth in and compete for a position. “Simon [Gonzalez] certainly has the talent.  He can run and catch anything.  And John Holcomb can flat out run and he’s smart he’s tough…a little underweight you know which we knew and that’s fine with a high school tight end.  Doesn’t mean he can’t play.”"

None of the answers behind Koontz seem to be ideal.  Killian has been just a blocking TE during his career and his limited athleticism will likely mean that says the same in 2020.  And if he were a legitimate answer, it’s doubtful that Wells would have added the JUCO transfer Lloyd.  But as we learned with Koontz last year, JUCO players often do not arrive ready to contribute right away so Lloyd is no sure-fire option.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez did not see the field last year as a true freshman and he only recently came back from a team suspension that dated back to the spring.  Meanwhile, Holcomb played at just the 2-A level in high school meaning that the jump to the Big 12 level will be rather significant for him, regardless of his physical skills.

"“We’re gonna have a five-week training camp now,” Wells said.  “We’re gonna be able to tell real quick how physical can some of those guys be because Lloyd and Simon, as well as Holcomb, have never done it here with us so certainly, that’s going to be a big competition throughout training camp.”"

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