Texas Tech football: Takeaways from the first 2023 depth chart

The first Texas Tech football depth chart of the 2023 season was revealed by head coach Joey McGuire on Sunday.  Let’s take a closer look at some of the most intriguing aspects of the two-deep.

Bralyn Lux listed ahead of Malik Dunlap at corner

Most of the defensive starting spots were already decided before fall camp even began.  However, one newcomer to Texas Tech has made a  meteoric rise to the top of the depth chart at a position where the Red Raiders looked to be already set.

When cornerback Bralyn Lux transferred to Texas Tech in June, not much fanfare surrounded his arrival from Fresno State.  After all, only the most hardcore college football fans ever watch any Fresno State football.

However, Lux has quickly made a name for himself with the Red Raiders and throughout fall camp, there was talk of him earning a starting spot.  That appears to be likely as he was listed ahead of Malik Dunlap on the first depth chart.

Though the two names are separated by the word “or” on the chart, indicating that each will see tons of playing time, it is telling that Lux was listed atop the chart.  That’s because he had to have been extremely impressive to even challenge Dunlap, who made 12 starts a season ago and was named a second-team All-Big 12 performer.

Many thought that Lux might supplant Tech’s other returning corner, Rayshad Williams, as Williams spent much of the offseason recovering from a sports hernia, which required surgery.  However, Williams appears good to go for the opener and he is the starter opposite Lux and Dunlap.

Expect all three players to be rather interchangeable this season and get accustomed to seeing plenty of that trio on the field together at times as well.  Still, it is telling to see the 5-foot-11 Lux challenge and even perhaps supplant the 6-foot-3 Dunlap on the depth chart.