Three Texas Tech football players with something to prove in 2024

With the 2024 Texas Tech football team replacing numerous starters and regular contributors from last season, there are plenty of holes to fill. Of course, that also means that there are plenty of opportunities to be had for new and unproven Red Raiders.

This year, the team will have as many as 14 new starters when the season begins. That's one reason that many don't know exactly what to expect from Joe McGuire and his squad this fall.

Of course, having a slew of new starters in the mix isn't necessarily a negative circumstance. After all, last year's team was just 7-6 overall meaning that the roster shakeup that is taking place could be welcomed.

On the one hand, the Red Raiders will miss long-time program stalwarts such as safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and defensive tackles Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr. Players of that quality are not easy to replace.

But on the other hand, the roster was churned at other positions to improve it. Places such as the offensive line and the wide receiver corp were purposefully turned over in the hopes that the Red Raiders would be able to field stronger units this season.

Thus, there are Red Raiders that will have opportunities to prove themselves this season. Here are three Red Raiders that especially have a chance to show that they are big-time players in 2024.

OT Sterling Porcher

Some Texas Tech football fans may not know much about Sterling Porcher but regardless, he could be one of the most important Red Raiders on the field in 2024. Projected as the team's starting left tackle, the Middle Tennessee State transfer has one year of eligibility remaining and he needs to prove that he's a Big 12-caliber lineman.

Porcher began his career at the JUCO ranks before two years at Middle Tennessee. Thus, the level of competition he's faced isn't what he will see in the Big 12 this year.

Last season, Tech got respectable but not elite left tackle play from Monroe Mills who has since transferred to Louisville. Thus, Porcher was brought in not only to fill Mills' shoes but also to elevate the level of play at that critical position.

That's a lot to ask of someone who has never played at the major-conference level. What is concerning about Porcher is that he didn't have any all-conference recognition at Middle Tennessee. Thus, is it wise to expect him to be an above-average tackle in the Big 12? If Porcher proves he's up for the task, it will do wonders for the Red Raider offense but if he struggles, the Red Raiders will have a huge in-season problem to fix.

TE Jalin Conyers

Gruver, Texas native Jalin Conyers also has just one year of college football remaining. The difference, though, is that he's proven he can hang at a major conference level. Now, he has to prove that he's ready to be an NFL prospect.

So far, the athletic tight end has put up only modest numbers never topping 422 receiving yards or 38 receptions in a season. Part of that, though, could be attributed to playing at Arizona State for the past two seasons where the Sun Devils have been terrible at the quarterback position. In fact, in 2023, they had to play four different quarterbacks just to get through the season.

This year, Conyers and fellow Tech tight end, Mason Tharp, will both be looking to prove their readiness for the NFL. That could lead to a division of the snaps and production for the position.

However, Conyers might be utilized in a variety of ways, including as a "wildcat" quarterback, a role in which me made some big plays while at Arizona State. Conyers won't have to put up Jace Amaro-type numbers to turn NFL heads this year but he does have to show that he can be a valuable asset to NFL teams. If he can do so by displaying his athleticism in numerous ways as well as by being better in the traditional roles of playing tight end, then he could have a professional football future.

DB Maurion Horn

Some players must prove they are ready for an increased role and that's what sophomore corner Maurion Horn faces this season. Last year, he was a primary backup who did appear in ten games but this season, he sits atop the post-spring depth chart at one of the cornerback positions.

Anticipation to see Horn take a step forward has been high since he stepped on campus. The Oklahoma native was a four-star signee in the class of 2022 and he picked Tech over some rather impressive programs including Oklahoma, Nebraska, USC, Oregon, Oklahoma State, and others.

As a true freshman, Horn redshirted. Then, last season, he was utilized primarily on special teams with 96 snaps in the kicking game. He managed only four tackles as a redshirt freshman so to say that's he's rather green is fair.

However, Horn impressed in the spring. Though he's only 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, he plays a physical brand of football and is capable of battling with bigger receivers. Now, he's got to prove that he's ready to do that on Saturdays when it counts. If he can take a step forward this year and solidify a starting spot, he could become a long-time answer for the Red Raiders in the secondary.