The Red Raiders, who recently completed an extended offseason program under head strength and conditioning coach Dave Scholz, will host 15 practices this spring, culminating in the annual Spring Game on April 17 inside Jones AT&T Stadium.
Third-year head coach Matt Wells brings back the bulk of his two-deep on both sides of the ball as the Red Raiders boast 15 returning starters with seven on offense and eight on the defensive side of the ball. The list of returners features 2020 All-Big 12 first team selections Erik Ezukanma and Austin McNamara as well as second-team honoree Dawson Deaton on the offensive line.
Texas Tech will have complete coverage of spring drills through its social media channels, namely @TexasTechFB on Twitter and @TexasTech_FB on Instagram. Highlights and practice footage will also be posted periodically on the athletics department's YouTube channel and the Red Raiders' exclusive Facebook page.
Below are several news and notes on the Red Raiders heading into the spring.
THOMPSON, EZ HIGHLIGHT RETURNERS
- New offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie will benefit from the return of both Texas Tech's leading rusher in SaRodorick Thompson and its leading receiver in Erik Ezukanma. Thompson paced the Red Raiders on the ground in 2020, totaling 610 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, while Ezukanma secured 46 catches for 748 yards and six touchdowns.
- Thompson and Ezukanma also led the Red Raiders in both categories as freshmen in 2019, making them the first duo to lead the team in rushing and receiving in back-to-back seasons since the 2014-15 campaigns when current Miami Dolphins tandem DeAndre Washington and Jakeem Grant helped Tech rank among the nation's top offenses.
- Additionally, this is the first time in school history where a pair of teammates have led the Red Raiders in both rushing and receiving yards during their freshman and sophomore seasons.
PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE RETURNS ON DEFENSE
- Keith Patterson might have his most experienced defense of his tenure in 2021 as the third-year defensive coordinator brings back eight starters as well as the majority of his two-deep. Overall, Texas Tech's 2021 defense will feature eight players with 10 or more starts over their career and three players with at least 200 tackles for their career.
- Between returning linebackers Colin Schooler and Riko Jeffers and newcomer Marquis Waters, Patterson will have three players with plenty of experience as all three have recorded more than 200 tackles for their careers. In fact, Texas Tech is the only FBS program in the country with three players on its 2021 roster that currently boast 225 or more tackles.
- Waters will be a welcome addition to the Red Raider secondary as he arrives as a three-year starter from Duke where he made 234 tackles as a safety. He made 35 starts during his time as a Blue Devil, which coincided with the tenure of Texas Tech second-year associate head coach and secondary coach Derek Jones, who departed the Duke staff following the 2018 season.
NEW KIDS ON CAMPUS
- Texas Tech welcomed several new additions to campus this January between mid-year scholarship transfers and four high school signees who chose to graduate early to join the Red Raiders for spring practices. Those four high school enrollees are all on the offensive side of the ball in wide receiver Jerand Bradley, tight ends Jed Castles and Mason Tharp and quarterback Behren Morton, the highest-rated signal caller to ever sign at Texas Tech.
- Texas Tech also solidified its depth on defense with mid-year enrollees, signing defensive backs Malik Dunlap from N.C. State, Marquis Waters from Duke and Rayshad Williams from UCLA as well as linebacker Jesiah Pierre of Florida.
- The offensive line also received a needed boost with the addition of TCU transfer T.J. Storment, an All-Big 12 second team selection by the Associated Press this past season, and Coffeyville C.C. transfer Matt Keeler.
A NEW TERM FOR 2021 - SUPER SENIORS
- Media and fans alike will likely hear a new term throughout the 2021 season - Super Seniors. The phrase describes many of the seniors across the country who decided to utilize the extra year granted by the NCAA for the 2020 season.
- For Texas Tech, the Red Raiders lead the Big 12 Conference with 10 super seniors according to recent research by the Associated Press. The list of returnees includes nine players that were on Tech's roster this past fall as well as one other in T.J. Storment, who transferred to join the Red Raiders this spring following one season at TCU.
- According to the Associated Press' research, Texas Tech is tied for ninth among power-five programs with 10 super seniors as the Red Raiders only trail the likes of Illinois (17), Arizona State (14), USC (14), Rutgers (13), Pittsburgh (12), Arizona (11), Utah (11) and Tennessee (11).
March 15, 2021 at 04:54AM
https://texastech.com/news/2021/3/14/football-red-raiders-open-spring-practice-monday.aspx
Red Raiders Open Spring Practice Monday - Texas Tech Red Raiders - TexasTech.com
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