Former Texas Tech offensive lineman transferring to in-state Big 12 program

In the age of the transfer portal, it is common for programs to face former players, even as conference opponents. That happened this year when Tech lost to Baylor, which featured former Red Raider pass rusher Steve Linton who had a big game in Lubbock. Now, we know that Tech will see at least one former member of the program, Dalton Merryman, as a Big 12 competitor in 2025.

Friday, the 6-foot-9, 305-pound junior announced on X that he has committed to play for Houston. That means he will likely suit up against the Red Raiders next season when Tech plays the Cougars on the road.

Merryman entered the portal earlier this week despite starting six games at left tackle this past season for Texas Tech. His entry into the portal was a sign that the Red Raiders intend to completely overhaul their offensive line this offseason, which is something that every observer knew had to be a priority for head coach Joey McGuire and his coaching staff.

Also, Merryman saw his 2024 offensive coordinator, Zach Kittley, leave to take the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic shortly after the regular season ended. Therefore, his status with new Texas Tech O.C. Mack Leftwich had to be a consideration as he made his decision to transfer.

Merryman was part of Tech's 2023 recruiting class. He was a JUCO signee who had played one season at Blinn Junior College.

Last season, he did not play due to injury. But this year, injuries to Tech's week-one starting offensive line and the subsequent shuffling of the deck at that position group gave him an opportunity to start half of the games in the regular season.

However, Merryman was not able to perform well enough to be considered an answer at the position. Rather, he was simply viewed as a potential depth piece for 2025 as the program looks to improve its play up front. Thus, Merryman likely saw the number of transfer offensive linemen that Tech had offered scholarships to this week and realized that his best chance for playing time next year would be elsewhere.

Now, he's set to return to the Houston area where he is from and play against the Red Raiders as a Cougar. But despite the fact that Merryman was technically a starter for Tech in 2024, this isn't a player whose departure to an in-state Big 12 rival stings all that much.