Three Questions For Texas Tech Heading Into Spring Practice
College basketball is heading down the home stretch, college baseball has started, but let’s not forget (I know many of you aren’t) that spring practice is already getting underway across the country. We will handle spring previews for every Big 12 football team and roll them out based on when their respective spring practices begin. Next up is the Texas Tech Red Raiders who will start up spring practice on Monday March 15th. Here are my three questions for Texas Tech heading into spring ball.
1. Quarterback Situation
For the last couple years, this was Alan Bowman’s job when he was healthy (which was rare). Now with Bowman gone, there is a big hole at the position with some interesting names fighting for the spot. Henry Columbi returns after starting some games last season but wasn’t good enough for him to be a favorite going into this season. Meanwhile Tech has added Oregon transfer Tyler Shough who started all seven games for the Ducks last season as he threw for 1,559 yards and 13 touchdowns. He could very well be the favorite to win the job for the 2021 season.
Then there are two talented underclassmen in Behren Morton and Donovan Smith, who head coach Matt Wells hyped up on our podcast last week. Smith is still rehabbing a shoulder injury but could be back to 100% before spring practice is over. And obviously Morton comes in as a talented four-star prospect who was ranked as a top 200 player in the 2021 class by 247 Sports. Between these four quarterbacks, someone should take a stronghold on the job before fall camp begins but it will be interesting to see how this battle shakes out for new offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie.
2. Who Will Help Out Wide Receiver Erik Ezukanma?
Everyone knows who the number one passing target is in Lubbock. It’s without a doubt Erik Ezukanma who had nearly 750 receiving yards last season while no other wide out had more than 300. But things got worse because Tech will be without three of their top five wide receivers from a season ago. T.J. Vasher is off to the NFL while Ja’Lynn Polk and KeSean Carter transferred out. That leaves players such as Myles Price, Trey Cleveland, Dalton Rigdon, Loic Fouonji and McLane Mannix opportunities to step up this year. And don’t forget about true freshman Jerand Bradley.
Also, the tight ends could be an area of improvement under new coordinator Sonny Cumbie. Travis Koontz and John Holcomb return but the Red Raiders also bring in freshman Jed Castles and Mason Tharp who could compete for playing time as well.
3. The Defense
Normally I would just pick an area or a position that needs improvement but let me tell you, this defense needs to step it up across the board in many phases of the game. Tech was ranked ninth in the Big 12 in rush defense and eighth in pass defense. And if that wasn’t bad enough, yards weren’t the only thing the defense was giving up last season. Texas Tech was giving up 36.7 points per game and allowed their opponents to convert 41.4% of third downs. I know the defense has a few players nursing injuries but just like Matt Wells, defensive coordinator Keith Patterson should be on the hot seat too because Texas Tech has not done a good job on this side of the ball since he arrived.
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