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Texas Tech football: Position groups Red Raiders must supplement through the portal

By Matthew Conner

Texas Tech's wide receiver Drae McCray (10) celebrates his touchdown against UCF in a Big 12 football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Texas Tech's wide receiver Drae McCray (10) celebrates his touchdown against UCF in a Big 12 football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium. /
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Nov 24, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) looks to throw a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) looks to throw a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

Adding a quarterback has to be a must for Texas Tech

There is no way Texas Tech can afford to go into the 2024 season without adding a quarterback via the portal (or possibly the JUCO ranks).  With Tyler Shough now officially looking to find a new home for his final college season, Tech is set to have only three scholarship QBs on the roster next year with two being freshmen.

Of course, Behren Morton will be the starter unless something drastic happens.  However, behind him will be redshirt freshman Jake Strong and true freshman 2024 signee Will Hammond.

That isn’t a scenario that McGuire can proceed with.  Strong showed this year that he is lightyears away from being ready to carry this team should he be pressed into action as he was against BYU in October.

Meanwhile, though Hammond will be one of the most highly-regarded high school passers to ever sign with Tech, he isn’t likely to be ready to lead the offense in his first year as well.  That’s why Tech needs to bring in a QB who has some college experience.

The Red Raiders would be happy to find a transfer similar to former QB Henry Colombi.  Transferring from Utah State to Tech in 2020, he appeared in 13 total games before leaving for Marshall prior to the 2022 season.

While Colombi was not a star transfer, he was serviceable, and in a pinch, he could win a game or two.  In fact, while at Tech, he led his team to two victories over West Virginia as well as a victory over Kansas.

It has been ages since the Red Raiders haven’t had to start multiple QBs in a season.  Next year likely won’t be any different.

Thus, it is imperative that Tech adds a QB with game experience to the roster this offseason.  That could happen via the JUCO ranks but don’t count out the transfer portal as well.  Though many QBs in the portal will be looking to start and Tech can’t offer that opportunity, there will be a few who want to move up to the Power…whatever-level and fight for a backup job.  McGuire might be interested in those who fit that description.

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