Texas Tech football: Five players that will be wildcards this season

RB Chadarius Townsend

We are all excited about adding RB Chadarius Townsend to the Red Raider offense this year.  But that’s largely because he was a 4-star player out of high school in 2017 and because he is coming over from Alabama.

It isn’t because of anything he’s done on the field.  That’s because he’s had almost no productivity at the collegiate level.  However, Texas Tech is counting on that to change this fall as he will be a huge part of the offensive attack.

When you look at Townsend’s Sports Reference page, you see the most meager of stats.  He’s credited with just eight rushing attempts for 22 yards in 2019.  That’s the extent of his productivity while at Alabama.

Part of that was due to the fact that he was constantly buried on the depth chart behind All-American and future NFL RBs like Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs, and Damien Harris.  It’s tough to crack the Alabama RB rotation and even a player with Townsend’s high school pedigree can struggle for playing time when put up against that level of competition.

But also, Townsend never found a position to call home in Tuscaloosa.  He moonlighted as an inside receiver and even as a defensive back in addition to playing RB as the Tide recognized his athletic gifts and searched for a way to get him on the field.  But those that play three positions at the college level really don’t play any position at all.

Now, Townsend has a home at RB in Lubbock and he can focus solely on mastering that role.  He will slot in behind Thompson and there will be plenty of carries headed his way.

But what we are yet to know for certain is whether the speedy 6-foot, 200-pounder is truly capable of being a difference-making RB.  If he is, the Red Raider offense will be adding some electricity to its attack this year and that is sorely needed  But if not, a greater burden will fall upon Thompson as Tech’s RB depth will be a concern for the third-straight season.