Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech football: Ranking the offensive position groups

By Matthew Conner

Nov 14, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back SaRodorick Thompson (4) rushes against the Baylor Bears in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back SaRodorick Thompson (4) rushes against the Baylor Bears in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Nov 21, 2020; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough (12) calls out a play during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks won 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough (12) calls out a play during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks won 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Quarterback

The addition of Tyler Shough from Oregon completely changes the Texas Tech football team’s outlook at QB for 2021.  In fact, it raises that position group to No. 2 on our list.

By now, almost every Red Raider fan is aware of the Arizona native’s resume after starting seven games for the Ducks last year.  But what many may not be aware of is that Shough is the most highly-regarded QB to don the scarlet and black since Graham Harrell.

He was rated higher as a recruit than Pat Mahomes, Taylor Potts, or any other QB Tech has leaned on since the start of the 2009 season.  What’s more, with seven career starts against PAC-12 teams, he will enter the 2021 season with more experience against Power 5 teams than any Tech QB has had at the start of a season since Mahomes in 2016.

Were it not for Matt Wells landing Shough, the QB position would be one of terrifying uncertainty this year.  We already know that former Utah State transfer Henry Colombi isn’t the caliber of QB that a team in the Big 12 can rely on.

Thus the other options would have been redshirt freshman Donovan Smith or true freshman Behren Morton, neither of whom has appeared in a college game.  Thus, Shough’s presence on this team is nothing short of monumental.  And if he has the type of season most believe he is capable of, Tech could be in for a great fall.

In fact, Tommy Jaggi of FanSided’s With the First Pick, says that Shough could be a high first-round pick in the next NFL Draft should he perform up to his full potential.

"Jaggi writes, “You can’t really teach the size and athleticism he has, and if he’s able to refine his game in his junior season at Texas Tech and cut down on his poor decisions, Tyler Shough will have a chance to be a high pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.”"

Of course, the QB spot is unique because it is the only one on the field that is not manned by multiple players (if everything goes according to plan that is).  Thus, Shough’s presence on the team is enough to elevate this position group to No. 2 on our list.  And if he plays at an NFL level, Tech could be one of the surprises of the NFL.

Home/Texas Tech Football