They say that mass kicks...butt. If that's the case, then new Texas Tech offensive tackle Howard Sampson will do a lot of damage for the Red Raiders in 2025.
The towering 6-foot-8, 325-pound native of Humble, Texas who played at North Carolina this season is the latest player to join the Red Raiders' current transfer class after announcing his commitment on Wednesday and he's expected to start at left tackle next fall. That is a position that was a revolving door for the Red Raiders in 2024 and one that everyone knew the program would address via the portal this offseason.
Sampson didn't begin his career at UNC, though. Out of high school, he was a 3-star player but just the No. 193 offensive tackle in his class according to 247Sports.com.
He spent his first two college seasons as a member of the North Texas football program. There, he appeared in only four games, though, two in each season.
BREAKING: North Carolina transfer OT Howard Sampson has Committed to Texas Tech, he tells @On3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 18, 2024
Texas Tech Portal Recruiting is on fire 🔥https://t.co/NHFzCoptCS pic.twitter.com/hwsjvqVAl5
Sampson then transferred to North Carolina for the 2024 season. He started all 12 games for the Tar Heels this year logging over 800 snaps. That's the type of consistency that the Red Raiders lacked at left tackle this season.
Tech tried a number of players at that position including most notably senior Sterling Porcher, a transfer from Middle Tennessee, and Dalton Merryman, a 6-foot-8 former JUCO signee. However, the Red Raiders simply didn't find anyone capable of holding down that position to a suitable degree.
In fact, the entire offensive line struggled in pass protection this season. Despite leaning heavily on senior running back Tahj Brooks and the rushing attack (Brooks carried the ball almost 290 times in 11 games played this season), the Red Raiders ranked only 65th nationally in sacks allowed per game at 2.0.
At times, the blocking was absolutely tied to losses for the Red Raiders. Most notable was when Colorado came to Lubbock and danced its way to a win in November. That night, Tech gave up seven sacks.
Finding quality tackles has been a problem for this program since long before Joey McGuire took over as head coach prior to the 2022 season. That's why in every year of McGuire's time on campus, the Red Raiders have added at least one tackle via the portal.
None have been as highly regarded as Sampson is, though. 247Sports.com lists him as the No. 10 offensive tackle in the portal at this time.
This is a massive pickup for the Red Raiders, not just literally but figuratively as well. Until this program starts to get dominant play from its offensive line, it will not compete for conference championships.
This year, Tech has again tried to revamp its offensive line via the portal also adding former FCS star Hunter Zambrano of Illinois State and Will Jados of Miami (OH). The hope is that this will finally be the year that the Red Raiders will field a top-notch group of blockers. If that happens, then the Red Raiders will be a force to contend with next fall.