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Texas Tech Red Raiders news: Red Raider great returns to Lubbock, a wild track finish, more

In today's Texas Tech news roundup, we look at a Red Raider great who is returning home, a wild race for a Red Raider track athlete, and more.

ByMatthew Conner|
Dec 30, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders receiver Eric Ward (18) runs after a reception during the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders receiver Eric Ward (18) runs after a reception during the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports | Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Here is your Texas Tech news roundup for June 6, 2024.

Eric Ward hired as Lubbock Estacado head football coach

One of the best wide receivers in the modern era of the Texas Tech football program is coming back to Lubbock. Eric Ward, who starred for the Red Raiders from 2010-13 was introduced Thursday as new head coach for Estacado High School.

This will be the first time Ward has been a head coach. Previously, he served as offensive coordinator at 3A Division II Wichita Falls City View.

"First and foremost, I'm happy to be back," Ward said. "Lubbock is home. I spent a lot of years here. I'm proud of the opportunity. I believe God doesn't make any mistakes, and this is my call of all my life to go serve. I'm going to pour into those kids in the east side of Lubbock and develop that pride in the program."

Ward amassed 255 catches for 2,863 yards and 31 touchdowns during his Red Raider career. He ranks third in career receptions and TDs and sixth in yards all-time for Texas Tech.

Texas Tech track athlete finishes race with only one shoe

Wednesday, at the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships, Texas Tech long-distance runner Ernest Cheruiyot finished in fourth place in the 10,000 meters. That was good enough to earn him First-team All-American honors.

However, the remarkable development was that Cheruiyot ran the final 900 meters of the race without his right shoe. After being stepped on by another runner, the Red Raider had to kick his shoe off and complete the race without it.

"They got him from behind and cut him pretty bad, actually," Tech coach Wes Kittley said. "We had to get (athletic trainer) Mary (Cyr) to dabble him up, (butterfly) stitch him up a little bit there at the end.

"That's pretty impressive to get fourth place."

Former Red Raider Cam Watts signs with New Mexico

Former Texas Tech defensive back Cam Watts has officially signed with the New Mexico Lobos. The senior played in 28 career games for the Red Raiders. During that time, he was credited with 11 tackles.

A super-senior who was not likely to earn a starting spot for Tech, Watts will get more of an opportunity to play in Albuquerque than he would have if he had remained in Lubbock. Here's wishing the best to this former Red Raider.

3-star QB picks Big 12 rival over Texas Tech

Speaking of New Mexico, a 3-star QB from the Land of Enchantment, Cameron Dyer, has committed to Arizona State over Texas Tech, Utah, and New Mexico State. However, this isn't the worst development for the Red Raiders.

Dyer, a member of the class of 2025 is ranked the No. 621 player in the nation and No. 44 athlete in his class. That's nowhere near as highly touted as Lloyd Jones, Tech's current QB commit for 2025, is ranked.

Jones is the No. 286 player in America and the No. 26 QB in his class. Certainly, the 3-star Hitchcock, Texas native is far more revered than Dyer making it easy to see Dyer head elsewhere. However, there is a chance that the Red Raiders may see Dyer on the field down the road in the Big 12.

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