One of the unsung heroes of Texas Tech's 28-26 victory over Houston last Friday night has been rewarded with a starting spot along the offensive line. Interior lineman Cash Cleveland entered the Houston game to replace starting left guard Hunter Zambrano and immediately provided a spark that helped carry his team to its first Big 12 triumph of the season.
As Cleveland got into a groove, so too did the Texas Tech ground game, which was stuck in neutral to begin the contest. In fact, as the Red Raiders began to churn out rushing yards in the second half, Cleveland inspired the offense by demonstrably pounding his chest while looking over at the Red Raider sideline and demanding that offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich keep running the ball.
That type of fire and attitude is needed along any o-line. Now, it appears that Tech is going to try to jumpstart a rushing attack that has been merely average this year by letting the passionate and fiery Cleveland start this week's home tilt with Sam Houston.
Only the most hardcore Texas Tech fans are likely to know who Cleveland is because offensive linemen typically only have their names called when they are penalized or give up a sack. However, if he sparks an improvement in the line's play, he will quickly become a fan favorite.
Cash Cleveland is now listed as the starting left guard over Hunter Zambrano for #TexasTech. https://t.co/qVJXZW8fW3
— Keith Inglis (@KeithInglisDT) September 21, 2026
The Rockwall, Texas native is 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds. This is the junior's second season in Lubbock after he spent his true freshman season at Colorado.
In 2024, Cleveland started four games for the Buffaloes as a true freshman despite being a walk-on. He played well enough in those appearances to earn freshman All-American honors from On3, 247Sports, and Pro Football Focus.
After that season, he transferred to Tech, where he was the primary backup to starting center Sheridan Wilson. In 2025, he played in six games despite an early-season injury. That was supposed to be his primary role again in 2026.
However, the Red Raider ground game has been a slight disappointment in 2026. Tech has yet to run for over 175 yards in a game and is averaging 4.2 yards per carry, which is lower than the 4.6 yards per carry the 2025 team averaged.
This was supposed to be an upgraded offensive line, though. Zambrano and Louisville transfer Jordan Church were touted as improvements at the guard positions thanks to their size and experience.
However, Tech has not seen the line exert dominance over any of its three opponents for a full game this season. The team ranks just 72nd nationally in rushing yards per game at 165.3.
Given that Texas Tech is relying on an inexperienced first-time starter at QB in Will Hammond, who is also working out the kinks after tearing a ligament in his right knee last season, the plan was to rely on the rushing attack to carry the load, especially early in the year. Additionally, Tech has three running backs that it believes are capable of playing in the NFL, so the expectation was that the Red Raiders would ground opponents into a fine powder with the offensive line leaning on opposing defensive fronts.
That hasn't materialized thus far, as Tech has nine more passing first downs this year than rushing first downs. Hopefully, Cleveland can be the ignition switch that sparks the offensive line for the rest of the season. He was that against Houston, and now, he will get a chance to see if that can carry over to week four.
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