Intriguing Texas Tech football players who have opportunities in spring football

Because March has been all about the basketball team, many Texas Tech fans might not have noticed that Joey McGuire's football program kicked off spring football last week. That's an important portion of the offseason calendar as position battles are waged, schemes are mastered, and newcomers try to make their mark.

"Man, it was great to be back on the field today," McGuire said on March 19 after his team's first spring session. "The guys were excited...you could see that with the energy we had at practice."

However, fans might not be as excited about this spring as they might have otherwise been. That's because two big-time newcomers won't participate due to injury.

Five-star true freshman signee Micah Hudson, a wide receiver from Temple, Texas, and the highest-rated recruit in program history, is on campus but he's sitting out spring ball as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery. Meanwhile, Arizona State transfer tight end, Jalin Conyers, a native of Gruver, Texas, is also sitting out due to a broken foot.

Both players are expected to be ready to go for fall camp. However, their absences might slow their development and their ability to mesh with their new offense.

Still, there are plenty of players worth keeping an eye on this spring. So let's take a look at three Red Raiders that Texas Tech fans should pay attention to over the next couple of weeks.

Texas Tech defender Miquel Dingle is trying out a new position

Like every football coach in the world, McGuire covets speed. That's what he has in Miquel Dingle. However, the program is still trying to figure out the best way to get the two-sport athlete on the field.

Dingle, who also runs track at Texas Tech, played inside linebacker this past season. He racked up 12 tackles in four games while still maintaining his redshirt eligibility.

However, there might not be a need for him at inside linebacker given that Tech has that position covered with returning starters Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts. That's why Dingle is trying his hand at mastering the "star" position this season.

That role is a mix between a linebacker and a safety meaning that at times that player may be asked to play in the box and at other times he will have to cover receivers down the field. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Dingle is big enough to be a factor near the line of scrimmage and he also has the speed to play in the secondary.

There is an opening at the "star" this season with last year's starter, Tyler Owens, now having graduated. So keep an eye on reports about Dingle because his athleticism makes him a fascinating candidate to man one of the pivotal positions on the defensive side of the football.