Consistency From Tyler Shough Key to Texas Tech’s Success in 2023
ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough needs to stay healthy. But he and the Red Raiders have the consistency thing covered.
Shough is the Red Raiders’ starter going into fall workouts. Head coach Joey McGuire loves his quarterback room, mentioning on Thursday that it may be the only quarterback room in the Big 12 that has two quarterbacks that have won league games.
But for the Red Raiders to take the next step, they need Shough to stay healthy.
If he can, he’ll benefit from something that McGuire actually didn’t realize until recently.
“It didn’t dawn on me until Tyler mentioned it,” McGuire said. “This is the first time he’s had the same offensive coordinator in back-to-back seasons. That experience is huge. He’s a pro. He comes in and he prepares at such a high level. He’s a great example to our team on how you prepare. It’s important for him to stay healthy.”
Texas Tech is coming off its best season since 2013, an 8-5 campaign under first-year head coach Joey McGuire. The Red Raiders ended their season with a 42-25 victory over Ole Miss in the Texas Bowl.
Offensively, Texas Tech returns 11 starters from last season, including QB Tyler Shough, RB Tahj Brooks, and each of its top five pass catchers, led by wide receiver Jerand Bradley. With so many starters returning in 2023, it’s expected that the Red Raiders offense will take a leap in Zach Kittley’s second year.
Defensively, the Red Raiders have six returnees from last season’s squad, with defensive linemen Laylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford anchoring a strong defensive front. Jesiah Pierre also returns after bursting on to the scene a season ago.
Texas Tech added a few pieces in the transfer portal that it expects to contribute in 2023, particularly with wide receiver Drae McCray (Austin Peay). Defensively, the Red Raiders added several pieces, including CB AJ McCarty (Baylor), DE Steve Linton (Syracuse), and DB CJ Bakersfield (San Diego State).
Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders open up the 2022 season on the road at Wyoming on Sept. 2, while their Big 12 opener is at West Virginia in Week 4. Then, one week later, TTU returns to Lubbock for its Big 12 home opener against Houston.
