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Texas Tech football: Storylines to monitor in the season opener

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 20: Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on October 20, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - OCTOBER 20: Alan Bowman #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on October 20, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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The Texas Tech Red Raider mascot ‘Masked Rider’ at halftime of the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the TCU Horned Frogs on September 26, 2015 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. TCU won the game 55-52. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
The Texas Tech Red Raider mascot ‘Masked Rider’ at halftime of the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the TCU Horned Frogs on September 26, 2015 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. TCU won the game 55-52. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Which freshmen will make their Texas Tech football debuts?

One of the best parts of a season opener, especially one against an FCS sacrificial lamb, is seeing true freshmen make their debuts.  This weekend, a host of Red Raiders could get their first collegiate action and that’s something Red Raider fans will want to enjoy.

Most notably is the heralded group of receivers that Wells and Co. signed in the class of 2020.  In fact, three of the four receivers in this class were ranked in the top four of Tech’s signees.

There is excitement to see Midland’s Loic Fouonji, the top player in the Red Raiders’ most recent recruiting haul.  But also, Ja’Lynn Polk and inside receiver Myles Price could see the field this weekend.

Another West Texas pass-catcher to watch on Saturday will be true freshman TE John Holcomb from Wellington.  He was one of the surprises of fall camp and it seems almost certain that he will be on the field at some point against HBU.

Along the o-line, expect to see tackle Caleb Rodgers from Mansfield make his debut in the Scarlet and Black.  Despite being just a mid-level 3-star signee, he’s already cracked the two-deep and he’s drawn rave reviews from his head coach.

Perhaps the most important debut will be that of RB Tajh Brooks.  Unlike the rest of his fellow true freshman, the Manor, Texas product feels invaluable to the 2020 Red Raiders.

He simply has to prove ready to handle some of the backup RB chores behind SaRodorick Thompson given that the other two RBs on the roster, Townsend and White, are more specialty backs rather than every-down players.  OC David Yost wants to run the ball this year but he can’t if Brooks doesn’t show that he’s capable of helping Thomspon share the load.

Last year, there were times in November when Thompson was Tech’s only scholarship RB able to suit out for a game and he did so despite being banged up himself.  As a result, Yost shied away from running the ball, and the offense suffered for it.

Brooks could help alleviate that problem this year by helping to keep Thompson fresh and by giving his team a second all-purpose RB to batter opposing defenses with.  So look to see what this freshman in a grown man’s body brings to the table on Saturday night because he is one of the keys to this year’s offense.

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