Texas Tech football: Ranking the offensive position groups

No. 1: Running back

There was a time when Texas Tech was famous for producing top-flight running backs.  Players such as Donny Anderson, James Gray, Bam Morris, and Byron Handspard all made running back the most high-profile position on the team while also being the focal point of the offense.

But, of course, that was all before the “Air Raid” era forever changed Texas Tech football.  However, in the 2021 season, the strength of the Red Raider offense could very well again be the running backs.

In fact, it has been quite some time since that position group has had the type of talent and depth that it figures to have in 2021.  Overall, Tech brings back each of last season’s top four rushers, a group that accounted for over 1,700 yards and 15 TDs.

More from Wreck'Em Red

• Texas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these Mountaineers
• Texas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025
• Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?
• Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 title
• Texas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives

The only question that this group has is whether or not leading rusher SaRodorick Thompson will be able to answer the call to open the season.  He’s coming off of spring shoulder surgery and Wells has said that the start of his season could potentially be delayed should he not heal in time.

Behind him is Xavier White, Tahj Brooks, and Chad Townsend, all of whom are talented enough to be significant contributors this season.  In reality, it is going to be tough for offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie to distribute the carries among that group when Thompson is back to full health.

Last season, Tech averaged 25.8 rushes per attempt by its running backs.  Meanwhile, while at TCU, Cumbie saw his QB, Max Duggan, lead the team in rushes with 116 (16 carries per game).

Thus, one has to believe that Cumbie might be thrilled to have a stable of RBs that he can rely on to bring more balance to his offense.  And make no mistake, no Red Raider QB on this year’s roster is capable of carrying the ball as frequently as Duggan did (he ended the year with 525 yards on the ground).

Tech will have tremendous depth at running back this year and Cumbie would be wise to lean heavily on that position group.  While we all still want to see the football in the air this fall, it might make many old-school Red Raiders warm in the cockles of the heart to see the running backs be the driving force of the offense like they once were before Texas Tech revolutionized the way college football is played.