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Texas Tech football: Position groups that have something to prove in 2023

By Matthew Conner

Dec 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders players run onto the field before the 2022 Texas Bowl against the Mississippi Rebels at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders players run onto the field before the 2022 Texas Bowl against the Mississippi Rebels at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Mason Tharp (80) rushes against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive safety Marcis Floyd (24) in the first 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 tight end Mason Tharp (80) rushes against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive safety Marcis Floyd (24) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Tech needs more from the tight ends

If potential counted, the Red Raider tight ends would likely be the roster’s greatest strength.  However, it is time that at least one of those physically gifted players puts it all together this year and becomes a game-changer.

Specifically, when we talk about the potential of this position, we are looking at senior Baylor Cupp and junior Mason Tharp.  Both are physical specimens with the former being 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds while the latter is 6-foot-9 and 270 pounds and each being able to run exceptionally well for their size.

However, neither was able to make a huge splash last year.  Cupp caught only 12 passes for 132 yards and a pair of TDs while Tharp had similar numbers with 12 catches for 100 yards and two TDs himself.

Fortunately, it appears that at least one of them is having a great fall camp according to the head coach.

"“I said yesterday to Mason Tharpe, he has had as good of a camp as any tight end that I’ve ever been around or watched,” McGuire said.  “Man, just his change in body, he’s 270 pounds and you know he can catch the ball, he’s got great hands and he’s a really good athlete…When we keep him in pass [protection], man, he’s done a great job in pass [protection] and he’s really physical in blocking.”"

For years, Texas Tech football fans have watched opposing tight ends from programs such as Iowa State, Oklahoma, or Texas prove to be matchup nightmares and we dreamed about having those types of weapons playing for the good guys.  With Cupp (a 5-star recruit when he signed with Texas A&M in the class of 2019) and the massive Tharp in the mix, expectations are still high for this position group and perhaps 2023 will be the year that one or both of those players are going to prove to be gamebreakers for the Red Raiders.

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