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Texas Tech Football: Will the Red Raiders shock the Big 12 in 2022?

By Sonny Martinez

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 05: Christian LaValle #45, Ethan Frasier #47, and Brylon Lawson-Young #16 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders before the college football game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 05: Christian LaValle #45, Ethan Frasier #47, and Brylon Lawson-Young #16 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders before the college football game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Sep 4, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Tyler Shough (12) attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Tyler Shough (12) attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Shough looks to take the Big 12 by storm

Right off the bat, the return of former Oregon transfer Tyler Shough should give a boost to the Red Raider offense. Shough only played in four games in 2021 after suffering a broken collarbone in the loss to Texas. He had been having a good season up to that point, save for a rough performance against FCS Stephen F. Austin. Even after completing 54 percent of his passes in that game, he had a 69.6 percent completion rate on the season.

That’s not a slight on last season’s starter Donovan Smith either. He played well in place of Shough, throwing for just shy of 1,200 yards over nine games which included four starts.

Whoever gets the nod at quarterback is losing one of the best receivers in recent Texas Tech memory, Erik Ezukanma. He was the Red Raiders leading receiver for three consecutive seasons, something not even Michael Crabtree, Wes Welker, or Jakeem Grant did. Myles Price and Xavier White are Tech’s two returning receiving leaders. The two combined for 656 yards and three touchdowns, both less than when Ezukanma did by himself.

Brady Boyd, a transfer from Minnesota, is a name to watch in the receiving game. Boyd is a former three-star prospect, but has good speed and could be exactly what the Red Raiders need, especially out of the slot.

Even though Tech’s offense will be heavy on the pass, SaRodorick Thompson will be a very dependable asset at running back as long as he can avoid the injury bug. Thompson has dealt with injuries for most of his career which have limited his performance. But you’ve been able to see the potential when he is healthy, notably a 118-yard, three-touchdown performance against TCU last year.

The offensive line lost three starters including center Dawson Deaton. The addition of more transfers, including former USC lineman Ty Buchannan, should make the transition a little easier. Tech has one week to figure things out against Murray State before a difficult stretch begins.

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