Three essential players Texas Tech football can't afford to lose in 2024

Every season, injuries are part of the story of college football. Of course, Texas Tech is no stranger to that fact.

In reality, though, it isn't going to be the team that remains the healthiest that wins big. It is going to be the team that can best manage the injuries that inevitably come along. After all, no team makes it out of a season unscathed on the injury front.

This year, Texas Tech believes it had a deeper team than ever before in the Joey McGuire era. We will soon begin to find out if that is true.

However, even if this team has a higher number of capable players in its two-deep rotation, there are some spots where the Red Raiders aren't as comfortable. So let's look at three players that the 2024 team can't afford to lose.

Behren Morton, QB

Let's just get the obvious choice out of the way first. Behren Morton is the single most important individual on the roster because of the position he plays and because of what is behind him.

Sure, reports out of the spring practice sessions and fall camp are that backup QB Cam Brown has looked solid. However, let's not act like there won't be a drop-off if he has to replace Morton for any significant amount of time.

After all, Brown is a transfer from West Georgia, an NCAA Division II program (which is one level below the FCS). What's more, he's just a redshirt sophomore who has played in only nine college games, all at the Division II level.

Additionally, if Brown has to assume the QB1 role at any point, it will put Tech one injury away from having to throw redshirt freshman Jake Strong or true freshman Will Hammond into the fire. As we've seen in recent years, that's not a far-fetched scenario in Lubbock.

Thus, Morton simply has to stay upright and healthy this year. He's the only proven commodity the program has at the game's most important position.

Tahj Brooks, RB

It also isn't a stretch to suggest that Tahj Brooks is irreplaceable. After all, he's one of the best running backs in the nation.

It is frightening to think about what would happen if he was lost to an injury. That's because there is almost no productivity behind him.

Cam'Ron Valdez is a junior RB who has never been able to earn the coaching staff's full trust. Decent when carrying the ball, he isn't the most reliable pass blocker. What's more, he's had some nagging injuries in his career and he's never carried the ball more than 52 times in one season.

Cam Dickey is an intriguing true freshman who has turned heads in fall camp. However, asking a first-year collegiate to take Brook's place is unfair. The same could be said of fellow true freshman J'Koby Williams who is only 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds.

If Brooks is healthy, then Tech can mix in Valdez and Dickey at opportune times and give Brooks a break. But if the offense has to rely on any of the backup running backs to replace Brooks for any length of time, it will be a disastrous situation for the Red Raiders.

Bralyn Lux, DB

Finally, let's look at a not-so-obvious choice, Bralyn Lux. The super-senior was a starter at corner last season and he is expected to be Tech's best corner this fall.

Last year, Lux had 40 tackles and an interception. What's more, he led the Red Raiders with nine passes defended.

That was while playing in a secondary loaded with experience. This year, the Red Raiders' secondary will be much greener.

Opposite of Lux will be first-time starter Maurion Horn at the other corner spot. Though he is talented, he isn't likely ready to be Tech's top cover man but that's what he'd have to be if Lux went down.

What's more, the options behind Lux on the depth chart aren't all that inspiring. Devynn Cromwell, Miles Thompson, and Boss Collins are listed behind him but none of those players have proven they are ready for a starring role on the defense. What's more, the latter two of those three are freshmen.

If Lux were to go down, it's likely that former Baylor transfer A.J. McCarty would move to corner from the "Star" position. He started several games at corner for the Bears in 2022.

Still, that reshuffling would hurt Tech's depth and experience in the secondary by forcing sophomore Brendan Jordan to have to play the "Star" role full time and there's no proof that he's ready for that responsibility.

The reality is that the entire secondary is built around the notion that Lux will handle one side of the field with minimal help. If he is lost, the whole deck of cards will have to be shuffled and that's not what any Red Raider wants to see at a position group that's already a question mark when it is fully in tact. intact