Joey McGuire gives update after second Texas Tech football practice of 2024 camp

Thursday afternoon, Texas Tech football head coach Joey McGuire met again with the media after his team completed its second day of fall camp. Here are some takeaways from what he had to say.

Another injury along the offensive line

Just days after learning that presumed starting left tackle Sterling Porcher has been sidelined with a minor hamstring injury, McGuire shared that another offensive lineman vying for a starting spot, Davion Carter, rolled his ankle in Wednesday's practice. Carter was in a walking boot Thursday but McGuire did not seem concerned.

"We've done everything," McGuire said. "We feel good that he'll progress back."

Carter, the senior transfer from Memphis, is battling for a starting job this fall. He is seeing time at both center and left guard hoping to earn the right to be a first-team player. Naturally, this setback won't help him in that endeavor nor will it help the Red Raiders figure out their offensive line puzzle.

McGuire went on to mention Dylan Shaw and Dalton Merryman as two backup linemen who have impressed during the offseason and fall camp and he said that both have gotten an opportunity for more reps due to these injuries.

McGuire praises the work of his secondary

There are questions about the revamped Texas Tech secondary. That's why it was nice to hear McGuire praise that group on Thursday.

After pointing out how good Tech's wide receivers are, McGuire said that his secondary has been battling so far in camp.

"The things we're seeing in the secondary is, we're either making plays or we're right there to make the play," he said. "Like, we're so much closer than what we were in the past."

McGuire said that the players who have jumped out so far are sophomore Chapman Lewis at free safety as well as sophomore Brenden Jordan and junior A.J. McCarty at the "star" position. He specifically praised the physicality of all three players.

Young wide receivers step up

McGuire specifically mentioned big plays that senior wide receiver Josh Kelly and freshman wide receiver Micah Hudson made. He was then asked which young pass catchers are stepping up.

Kelby Valsin he said was brought from the practice field geared towards younger players to the field for veteran players on Thursday because of what Valsin did Wednesday in practice. The redshirt freshman from Arlington did not appear in any games last season but is making noise in camp so far.

McGuire also noted that another redshirt freshman, T.J. West from Houston, got some work at outside receiver in the veteran practice.

Backup running back update

Another position battle that has people talking this year is the fight for the No. 2 running back job. That's where junior Cam'Ron Valdez and true freshman Camron Dickey are competing for snaps.

"It's going good," McGuire said with a smile. "I think they're pushing each other. They both did some great things today. I think Cam Valdez had some really good runs...Cam Dickey, he's just one of those guys that checks all the boxes and loves playing the game. Both of them had really, really good days today."

Defensive line update

Tech is also having to completely restock its defensive line this season. McGuire was asked which players along the line of scrimmage have impressed so far.

McGuire mentioned Nevada transfer James Hansen, Rice transfer D.B. Carroll, and Quincy Ledett as veterans who have stood out. Of the young defensive linemen, he said that redshirt freshman Jayden Cofield has stood out the most thus far.