Texas Tech football: Position groups to watch in spring ball

How will a reworked offensive line gel?

It won’t matter who the QB is this fall if Tech doesn’t get better play from the offensive line than it received in 2021. Allowing 1.92 sacks per game, Tech ranked just 6th in the Big 12 in that category.  What’s more, the Red Raiders ran for just 159.1 yards per game, 8th-best in the Big 12.

What’s more, the Red Raiders are being tasked with replacing center Dawson Deaton, left tackle T.J. Storment, and guard Josh Burger.  But the argument could be made that, outside of Deaton, those departures are not all that crippling given how average the o-line was last year.

The problem for McGuire and Kittley is that there were few ready-to-play replacements on the roster when they arrived.  So they hit the transfer portal hard.  Will that pay off?  Only time will tell.

One possible new starter could be Michael Shanahan.  He was an all-conference starter for UT-Martin at the FCS level in 2021.  He also held offers from Oklahoma State and Kansas State showing that the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder is believed to have FBS potential.  Still, can his game translate to the higher step up in competition?

Tech also added Oklahoma State transfer Monroe Mills.  However, he’s yet to make a start at the Power 5 level making it fair to wonder if he will be able to play a starting role this fall.

New Mexico transfer Cade Briggs is likely to get a shot to start at center in place of Deaton.  The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder has started 24 games in his career and could be a huge pickup for the Red Raiders if he can hold down the starting job.

So keep an eye on the offensive one this spring because there are quite a few new pieces in play.  And how this group comes together is going to be one of the keys to the upcoming season.