Since last week, we've been analyzing the depth charts of every Big 12 team coming out of the spring. Monday, we continue with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who released an official two-deep after finishing up spring ball last month:
OFFENSE (starters in bold)
QB: Davis Webb (So.)
This one is pretty simple. Webb, who broke out in the bowl game, is loaded with potential and had a fabulous spring with 13 touchdowns and no turnovers over three open scrimmages. With no other QB on the roster, incoming freshman Patrick Mahomes will assume the backup spot by default.
RB: DeAndre Washington (Jr.), Quinton White (So.)
With Kenny Williams taking over as the starting “Raider” linebacker, Washington takes over as the starting running back. Washington has two seasons of experience and was just as productive out of the backfield as Williams was in 2013. White will have to perform in a backup role to fend off incoming four-star freshman Justin Stockton.
WR: D.J. Polite-Bray (So.), Devin Lauderdale (So.)
IR: Jakeem Grant (Jr.), Brent Mitcham (Sr.)
IR: Bradley Marquez (Sr.), Jordan Davis (Sr.)
WR: Reginald Davis (So.), Derreck Edwards (Jr.)
The playmaking potential is boundless in the speedy trio of Grant, Marquez and Davis, who combined for four touchdowns in the National University Holiday Bowl. Polite-Bray can fly, too, and made a living hauling in bombs downfield during the spring to emerge as the fourth starting receiver. With bulky tight end Jace Amaro and Eric Ward (who ranked 29th in the Big 12 in yards per catch), the Red Raiders struggled at times last season to stretch the field. With a major upgrade in speed across the board at the position, that won’t be an issue in the fall. Jordan Davis gives Tech a reliable fifth option inside when Kliff Kingsbury goes to his five wide receiver sets.
LT: Le’Raven Clark (Jr.), Poet Thomas (RFr.)
LG: Alfredo Morales (Jr.), James Polk (Sr.)
C: Jared Kaster (Jr.), Tony Morales (Jr.)
RG: Trey Keenan (So.), Baylen Brown (So.)
RT: Rashad Fortenberry (Sr.), Josh Outlaw (RFr.)
The offensive line two-deep could undergo a transformation once junior-college transfer Dominique Robertson arrives in the summer. Offensive line coach Lee Hays has said that he would consider swinging Clark to guard to boost the run game, should Robertson show up ready to play. Hays was given this option after Fortenberry was awarded another year of eligibility in the spring. At the moment, right guard is the biggest question up front, but if Clark were to slide inside, he and Morales could team up to give the Red Raiders a powerful run-blocking duo at the guard spots.
DEFENSE
DE: Branden Jackson (Jr.), Zach Barnes (So.)
NG: Jackson Richards (Jr.), Donte Phillips (Jr.)
DT: Demetrius Alston (Jr.), Keland McElrath (Jr.)
This appears to be the biggest question on the entire team. Jackson is coming off a solid sophomore season, with nine tackles for loss and four sacks. But Tech, which finished next-to-last in run defense in 2013, got pushed around in Big 12 play with the unit its currently projecting to start. That’s why Tech signed four juco defensive linemen -- Brandon Thorpe, Marcus Smith, Rika Levi and McElrath – in its 2014 class. To toughen up their front, the Red Raiders will need at least a couple of those jucos to pan out.
BANDIT: Pete Robertson (Jr.), Kris Williams (So.)
WLB: V.J. Fehoko (Sr.), Malik Jenkins (So.)
MLB: Sam Eguavoen (Sr.), Micah Awe (Jr.)
RAIDER: Kenny Williams (Sr.), Austin Stewart (Sr.)
This is a unit that really came together over the spring. What started as an experiment could result in the Red Raiders uncovering their answer at the “Raider” linebacking spot vacated by Terrance Bullitt. Even though he sat out the spring game, Williams had a tremendous run of practices at the position and was rewarded with a spot atop the depth chart. Elsewhere, the Red Raiders are in good shape. Robertson was an honorable mention All-Big 12 performer last season, and Eguavoen and Awe were third and sixth on the team in tackles. Some big-time help could be on the way this summer, too. Former Ohio State linebacker Mike Mitchell, who was an ESPN 300 recruit last season, attended Texas Tech’s spring game and could be in line for a hardship waiver to play immediately at his next school.
BC: Justis Nelson (So.), Thierry Nguema (So.)
FS: J.J. Gaines (So.), Jalen Barnes (RFr.)
SS: Keenon Ward (So.), Dorian Crawford (Sr.)
FC: Dee Paul (So.)
The Red Raiders have reason to be cautiously optimistic about their young secondary. Gaines was performing at a high level last fall before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury five games into the year. He was a limited participant during spring ball and should be good-to-go again for the fall. Ward had an MVP spring, laying out several receivers with big hits to solidify the other safety job. Nelson returns after starting as a true freshman, essentially leaving the field cornerback spot as the only lingering competition. Nigel Bethel II, the four-star gem of the 2014 recruiting class, has the talent to vie for that job when he arrives on campus. Even though he didn't appear on the depth chart, safety transfer Josh Keys, who did enroll early, could add valuable depth once he settles into coordinator Matt Wallerstedt’s scheme.