We have 134 days until the Texas Tech football program takes the field against Houston on September 4th. Thus, there’s plenty of time for this roster to evolve before toe meets leather.
Remember that summer is a common time for activity to pick up in the transfer portal. After all, we’ve seen the Red Raiders add plenty of key contributors in the summer months during the Matt Wells era (Zech McPhearson, Colin Schooler, and Tyree Wilson just to name a few).
What’s more, the year-long in-person recruiting dead period brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is set to be lifted this summer meaning that programs will once again be able to host prospects for official visits. And being as Tech has always had to rely heavily on showcasing the program and the community in person, rather than relying on reputation and name-brand recognition, the return of in-person visits could be a huge boon for Wells and his staff.
So let’s take a look at three position groups that could see an influx of talent through the transfer portal. And we will start with a group that has already benefited from the transfer portal this offseason.
Offensive line
Last season, the Texas Tech offensive line was underwhelming, to say the least. In fact, it was often a liability that the Red Raiders had to game plan around, especially at the tackle positions where there were two new starters after the graduations of Terrence Steele and Travis Bruffy.
But this offseason, the line has been revamped through the transfer portal with the addition of T.J. Storment who was a second-team All-Big 12 performer last season for TCU. His presence has allowed Tech to move last year’s starting right tackle, Josh Burger, to guard which is a more natural fit for his skill set.
What’s more, the emergence of freshman Caleb Rogers, who started three games at the end of last season, could solidify the other tackle position, especially if he takes a step forward in his second year in the program. But though the offensive line appears to be improved from what we saw last fall, don’t be surprised to see the Red Raiders add more help through the transfer portal.
Remember, hardly a season goes by without an injury to at least one key offensive lineman. Men of that size who play a collision sport are bound to sustain damage over the course of a 12-game gauntlet. Thus, a program can never have too many quality offensive linemen.
What has to worry Red Raider fans is the thought of an injury to one of the five starters. That’s because, behind that group, there simply is not much proven depth.
Tech would be wise to seek out an experienced tackle to back up Storment and Rogers. After all, Ethan Carde was not good enough to hold down his starting job at left tackle last year and the other top backup at tackle, Larry Moore, did not play a single snap last year as a true freshman (though he has impressed in practices).
This program has not signed more than three offensive linemen in a class (transfer or high school) since 2018. What’s more, there have been some inevitable misses on the recruiting trail, which has left that position group somewhat thin.
So don’t be surprised to see the Red Raiders add another o-lineman to the roster this summer. After all, a repeat of last year’s performance from that group can’t be in the cards again this year.