Injury in Texas Tech running back room allowing a true freshman to shine

While everyone knows that All-Big 12 running back Tahj Brooks will be Texas Tech's workhorse in the backfield in 2024, there has been an off-season battle for the No. 2 running back job behind him. Interestingly, though, it has been a surprising freshman who has done the most for himself in fall camp thanks to opportunities afforded to him after an injury to one of his teammates.

Because of a sprained ankle, true freshman Cameron Dickey has been limited in practice. In fact, he didn't participate in Saturday's scrimmage (nor did Brooks, for precautionary reasons), the second of fall camp. Fortunately, head coach Joey McGuire said Tuesday that Dickey was doing better and had returned to practice.

While the Austin native has already earned a spot in Texas Tech's running back rotation for this season, his brief absence allowed another true freshman, J'Koby Williams, to shine in his place. In fact, earlier this week, McGuire gushed about Williams and the potential he has shown in fall camp.

"Probably the best thing out of all of this," McGuire said, "with Cam rolling his ankle is J'Koby Williams is a difference-maker. I mean he is something. With him running with the ones and the twos, to where he's seeing a little bit better, clearer picture, cleaner picture, there's definitely something there.

"I mean, I'm not saying how much he would play, but he's definately a guy who's like a homer run hitter. Catches the ball really well out of the backfield."

This is not the first time that Williams has been publicly praised by his head coach this fall. In fact, a case could be made that few other Red Raiders have done more in camp to improve their stock.

Still, it is likely that Williams will redshirt this season. That means he could play in only four regular-season games.

One has to wonder if there is a hesitancy to throw him into the running back mix because he's just 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds. That's an extremely light weight for a Big 12 running back to be playing at.

Also, Williams likely won't be needed this fall. With Brooks taking the lion's share of the carries, Tech doesn't need three backups to play significant snaps.

McGuire said that junior Cam'Ron Valdez and Dickey are "2A and 2B" on the depth chart right now. Thus, we can expect to see each of those players on a weekly basis. In fact, McGuire said last week that Dickey will not redshirt this season.

Still, Red Raider fans should get to know the name of J'Koby Williams. He's going to get a few opportunities this fall and next year, he could be a huge factor in the Red Raider running back room with Brooks no longer on the roster after graduating.

Williams didn't arrive in Lubbock until the start of fall camp but he's made the most of the chances he's been given. He's certainly a player to be on the lookout for in upcoming seasons and one of the brightest pieces of the Red Raiders' future.