Can Cam'Ron Valdez lighten load on Tahj Brooks for the Texas Tech football team?

Heading into the 2024 season, one might not think that the Texas Tech football team has many questions to answer at the running back position given that Tahj Brooks is set to return after posting 1,538 yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago. However, it is fair to wonder if Brooks can sustain that type of workload again this year. That's why there is reason to question who will provide Brooks a break and help lighten his load this season.

Last fall, Brooks carried the football 290 times. That was 143 more carries than he had previously had in any season in his career.

While Brooks is as sturdy as running backs come, it would be wise for the Red Raiders to find someone to take some work off his plate. That's where Cam'Ron Valdez might be able to carve out a niche for himself in the offense.

Though he originally announced his intention to enter the transfer portal prior to Tech's appearance in last season's Independence Bowl, Valdez is back with the Red Raiders and there is a need for him, or another running back on the roster, to be a solid backup to Brooks.

Now a junior, it is easy to peg Valdez as the logical No. 2 running back in the Red Raider rotation. That's because the only other viable scholarship options behind him appear to be true freshmen Cameron Dicky (who impressed in the spring) and J'Koby Williams (who arrived on campus this summer).

In other words, Valdez is the only back running back on the roster with a college carry to his name. Thus, he should be expected to take on the No. 2 role.

However, last season, there was also a need for Valdez to spell Brooks as well. Yet, he didn't take advantage of the opportunity.

He earned only 52 carries racking up 286 yards and one touchdown. What's more, 111 of his rushing yards came in one game, when he gashed Houston in Lubbock surpassing the 100-yard mark and scoring a TD on only six carries.

On the other hand, Valdez did post career highs in every category last season. Thus, one could believe that he's ready to be a dependable backup to Brooks this fall.

Valdez has excellent speed. When he plants his foot in the ground and cuts upfield, he can get to the second and third level of the defense quickly. And when he is in the open field, he is tough to track down. That could make him a nice change of pace to the bruising Brooks who runs like a wrecking ball but who doesn't have great top-end speed.

On the other hand, Valdez isn't known for being able to break tackles and pick up tough yards. He's more of a player who thrives when running on the edge of the defense or through wide rushing lanes.

Also, he hasn't shown that he is as durable as Brooks. His ten games played last season were a career-high as he's never played a full 13 games in any season in Lubbock despite his light workload.

It isn't imperative that Valdez finds a way to be a star player this year. Brooks has that covered. However, he has a role to fill and it could be one that is important in the team's overall success by helping Brooks stay fresh throughout the season.

Also helping Brooks this year should be a more effective passing game. Given that starting QB Behren Morton should be over the injury to his throwing shoulder that limited his effectiveness all last season and that the program has made upgrades at the pass-catching positions, Tech likely won't have to ask Brooks to be as much of a workhorse as he was in 2023.

With that said, Valdez needs to be a reliable and consistent No. 2 option in the backfield. If he can do that, it could mean that Brooks will be even more effective and dominant than he was a year ago.