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Texas Tech football: 5 questions Red Raider offense must answer in 2023

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley of the Texas Tech Red Raiders claps during the second half of the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley of the Texas Tech Red Raiders claps during the second half of the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Oct 22, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive tackle Caleb Rogers (76) blocks West Virginia Mountaineers defensive end Taijh Alston (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive tackle Caleb Rogers (76) blocks West Virginia Mountaineers defensive end Taijh Alston (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Will the flipping of the tackles solve a huge problem?

Last season, the play Tech received at offensive tackle was below average for a Big 12 program.  In fact, it could be argued that the Red Raiders suffered from some of the worst play in the conference at the edges of the line.

Now, it appears that the best solution that Kittley and offensive line coach Stephen Hamby have come up with is to take last year’s two starting tackles, Caleb Rogers and Monroe Mills, and flip them.  If to you that plan seems a bit more like a prayer than a strategy, you aren’t alone.

Rogers was Tech’s worst staring linemen last season.  He was continually overwhelmed by top-end Big 12 pass rushers while playing the critical left tackle position.

In his second year as a starter, but his first on the left end of the line, he lacked the ability to protect his QBs’ blindside.  Whether that was due to a lack of experience, athleticism, strength, technique, or a combination of all of those elements, is something that only Rogers and the coaching staff will know for sure.  But whatever the reasons, he has to improve this year.

Now, the hope is that he will be better suited for life as a right tackle where he will likely face less lethal pass rushers.  But regardless of where he lines up, Rogers must take a step forward this year if the offense is to be elite.

Meanwhile, Mills was a bit of a pleasant surprise in his first season at Tech.  The former Oklahoma State transfer had never started a college game before 2022 but made 10 starts at right tackle as a redshirt sophomore.

The Missouri native was able to battle and hold his own for most of the season as he seemingly got better with each week allowing only one sack over 524 opportunities according to Pro Football Focus (per TexasTech.com).  But making the move to the left side will be a big challenge for Mills as it will put him up against the most elite defensive ends and edge rushers the Red Raiders will see on a weekly basis.

Whether or not these two tackles can thrive at their new positions will be one of the most significant keys to the offense’s success in 2023.  Here’s hoping that flipping these players (along with what we hope will be their all-around improvement) will make the type of difference that this offense needs at tackle.

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