To get the inside story on Texas Tech before facing Cal in the Independence Bowl on Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana, we sought out Don Williams, veteran beat writer for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
As is our weekly custom during the football season, we asked Williams 5 Questions about the Red Raiders.
Here goes:
Question No. 1
Tahj Brooks, who has rushed for 1,443 yards this season, announced he will return to Texas Tech for a fifth season. In the video at the top of this story, Williams talks about his skillset and what makes him so productive.
Brooks is powerful but with quick feet, leads the nation in forced missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
“He is not a home run hitter. He’s not a guy who’s going to find a crease and take it 75 yards for a touchdown," Williams says. "What he is is a guy who consistently turns nothing into 5 yards and turns getting hit 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage into 3 yards. Or turns 5 into 10 or 15.”
Question No. 2
Behren Morton began this season and last as the Red Raiders backup quarterback before starter Tyler Shough suffered season-ending injuries. He’s coming off a three-interception game against Texas but how has he performed otherwise since becoming the starter again?
Morton has dealt with his own health issues, Williams says, including a shoulder injury this season.
“He’s a guy who’s really talented. He was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school. He’s been the quarterback that fans have clamored to see since he has been here as the backup quarterback," Williams said. "He probably has a lot more to show than what he’s been able to show so far because of the injuries.”
Question No. 3
Freshman linebacker Ben Roberts became a starter the second game of the season against Oregon and he leads the team with 100 tackles. How much of a surprise as Roberts been?
Williams explains that just like Cal freshman Cade Uluave, Roberts got his big chance because of an injury to the man in front of him.
“Not a surprise that he was a contributor this season but a surprise by how much he has contributed," Williams says. "Coming out of spring practice he was a second-team guy. Not only that, he was not a big-time recruit. For him to come out and have 100 tackles . . . that is a surprise.”
Question No. 4
Texas Tech has had a number of players enter the transfer portal over the past couple weeks, including a couple each at wide receiver and offensive line. In the video above, Where are the Red Raiders are most compromised?.
“I think the biggest question mark going into the bowl game for Texas Tech based on transfer portal reductions is at wide receiver because since the end of the season they have had six receivers and a tight end go into the portal," Williams says.
The two key defectors are Jerand Bradley (36 receptions, 431 yards, 4 TD) and Myles Price (43 receptions, 410 yards, 5 TD plus 21.8 yards on 9 punt returns). “Those are two significant losses," Williams says.
Note: Since my conversation with Williams, Red Raiders defensive end Myles Cole also has opted out of playing in the game. Cole started all 12 games and collected 32 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks.
Question No. 5
Joey McGuire is something of a high school football coaching legend in Texas. What was the reaction from fans when Tech hired him before last season after five seasons as a Baylor assistant and how he has put his stamp on the Red Raiders program?
“His strength is kind of as a culture builder, a real outgoing personality, a personable guy who relates to almost everybody. An everybody-loves-him kind of guy," Williams tells us.
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