Surprises from the first Texas Tech football depth chart of 2024

The first game week of the 2024 Texas Tech football season has arrived and one sure sign that the season is here is that we have an official depth chart from Joey McGuire. Shared on social media Sunday evening, this look at the Red Raider roster tells us who has won some important camp battles.

While this depth chart is not set in stone but rather a living, breathing document that will change from week to week, it is our first look at how the Red Raiders will deploy their roster since we got an unofficial depth chart from McGuire after the spring practice sessions concluded.

So let's look at some important takeaways and some mild surprises from the depth chart that will lead us into the Abilene Christian game this weekend. And we'll begin by taking a look at an offensive line that is still not set.

Texas Tech still doesn't know what to do with OL Caleb Rogers

All offseason, we've tried to speculate what the rebuilt offensive line would look like. Now, even with a fresh depth chart in our hands, we still don't know the answer to that question.

The sticking point is what to do with super-senior OL Caleb Rogers. On the depth chart, he's listed as a possible starter at both right guard and right tackle. Remember, at Big 12 Media Days this summer, McGuire referred to Rogers as his starting right guard. What's more, that's where he was listed on the post-spring depth chart.

However, Rogers is now a candidate to return to right tackle, a spot he's previously manned for the Red Raiders. Is that an indictment of right tackle Ty Buchanan who seemed to be the man at that position since the spring? After all, the plan all offseason was to move Rogers to an interior position.

If Rogers starts at tackle, then Memphis transfer OL Davion Carter will be the man at right guard. The good news is that he has 23 starts at right guard in his FBS career (he spent two years as a JUCO player prior to heading to Memphis) but the drawback is that he's only 6-feet, 295 pounds making him undersized for a Big 12 offensive lineman.

It is a bit concerning that there are still questions along the offensive line. Figuring that group out has been the program's top offseason priority so the fact that it is still in flux is less than ideal. It appears that the experimenting with this position group will continue into the season and that's not necessarily what anyone wants. At least the good news is that the opening game comes against Abilene Christian and not an FBS program so there is some wiggle room for the coaching staff as it tries to finally get the O-line set.

Caleb Douglas moved to inside receiver

It isn't all that wise to get tied up in wide receiver positions because those players move around the formation more than any other group. Still, it is surprising to see Caleb Douglas listed as the starter at the "Y" position, which is an inside receiver spot.

The Florida transfer is 6-foot-4, 205 pounds. That is the prototypical size for an outside receiver, which is where he's played for most of his career.

On the post-spring depth chart, Douglas was listed as the "Z" outside receiver. However, Washington State transfer Josh Kelly, who was listed as a slot receiver in May, is now the starter at "Z".

So Douglas and Kelly has essentially flipped positions. Again, don't get too caught up in wide receiver positions because those players will move all over the offensive formation depending on the play calls and the matchups. Still, it is interesting to see that the tall and athletic Douglas is the starter at one of the slot receiver positions.

Harvey Dyson III wins the outside LB job over Isaac Smith

One of the biggest winners from fall camp was sophomore outside LB Harvey Dyson III. In a bit of a surprise, he has beaten out junior Isaac Smith for the starting job at that position. Of course, both will play quite a bit, but heading into the offseason, there was much more talk about Smith than there was about Dyson.

Smith, a junior from Oklahoma, is returning after an injury kept him out all last season. However, at the end of 2022, he flashed some real potential as a redshirt freshman to get fans and coaches alike fired up.

Meanwhile, Dyson was a backup last year who made only four tackles and one sack. However, recently, McGuire gushed about Dyson when he spoke to the media last week so maybe this development shouldn't come as a surprise after all.

Amier Washington tops Joesph Adedire at the other outside LB

At the other outside linebacker spot, Amier Washington gets the nod over Joseph Adedire. Again, both players will see plenty of action this fall but it is interesting to see that Washington, a redshirt freshman, has beaten out the junior, Adedire.

After all, Washington has appeared in only two games thus far as a collegiate. Granted, his second appearance was rather noteworthy as he racked up four tackles for loss and two sacks while forcing a fumble against Cal in the Independence Bowl.

Meanwhile, Adedire started eight games last season. What's more, he's got 44 tackles to his name in two seasons at Tech.

Tech needs at least one of these players to prove to be a big-time pass rusher this year. Ideally, both will show growth in that area and be able to impact opposing quarterbacks with consistency.

Still, it is interesting to see that Washington has won this starting job given that he's the far less experienced player. Perhaps that a sign of just how much potential he has.

Micah Hudson not listed as a starter

It isn't unusual for a true freshman to be relegated to a backup role to begin his first season. However, Micah Hudson is no regular freshman. After all, the five-star signee is the highest-ranked player to ever sign with Tech out of high school.

That's why some fans might be surprised to see Hudson listed as the No. 2 "Y" receiver behind Douglas. That's what happens when McGuire continually refers to Hudson as a generational talent; people start to develop expectations.

Of course, putting Douglas first on the depth chart might just be an example of the program throwing a bone to a veteran player. Or maybe it is a tactic to keep the young freshman hungry and humble (not that Hudson struggles in those areas at all).

Whatever the reason, it might seem a bit odd for Hudson to be a No. 2 on the depth chart. However, that doesn't mean that he won't get plenty of opportunities to shine this fall.