Texas
Tech
Red Raiders
Preview 2009 - Tech Offense
-
2009 CFN Texas Tech Preview |
2009 Texas Tech
Offense
-
2009 Texas Tech
Defense |
2009 Texas Tech
Depth Chart
-
2008 TT Preview |
2007 TT Preview |
2006 TT
Preview
What you need to know: There
will be the inevitable drop-off after losing a quarterback the
caliber of Graham Harrell and an all-timer of a receiver in
Michael Crabtree, but Tech will still have one of the nation's
top passing offenses, it'll still put up a bazillion points, and
it'll still be good enough to rise up and beat anyone on a given
day. Taylor Potts is a more talented quarterback than Harrell
with a bigger arm and better pro upside, but he has to be far,
far better than he was this offseason. Head coach Mike Leach
praised Potts throughout spring ball, but the consistency wasn't
always there. The receiving corps will be more than fine despite
the loss of Crabtree, and the backfield is loaded, by Texas Tech
rushing standards, with three very quick, very good backs in
Baron Batch, Harrison Jeffers, and Aaron Crawford. There will be
question marks on the line with several new starters in the mix,
but it's a big line that should be solid with a little bit of
time. It won't be as good as last year's line, but it'll be
fine.
|
Returning
Leaders
Passing: Taylor Potts
23-36, 260 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Baron Batch
113 carries, 758 yards, 7 TD
Receiving: Detron Lewis
76 catches, 913 yds, 3 TD
|
Star of the offense:
Junior QB Taylor Potts
Player who has to step up and become a star: Junior OT/OG
Chris Olson
Unsung star on the rise: Redshirt freshman WR Alex Torres
Best pro prospect: Senior OT Marlon Winn
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Potts, 2) WR Detron
Lewis, 3) Winn
Strength of the offense: Passing game, Quick backs
Weakness of the offense:
Line experience, New quarterback
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter:
It's Taylor Potts'
turn at bat. The 6-5, 215-pound junior is the next Texas Tech
passing star-to-be, and he's ready to shine right away with a
bigger arm than Graham Harrell and the time in the system to
know what he's doing. He has seen a little bit of time over the
last few years, completing 23-of-36 passes for 260 yards and two
touchdowns with an interception last season, highlighted by a
garbage-time 5-of-5, 60-yard, one score drive against Oklahoma
State. While Harrell was a fringe Heisman candidate, Potts has
NFL potential with the ability to make every throw on the field.
Projected Top Reserve: While Potts is the
clear-cut starter, Mike Leach at least threw open the idea that
Steven Sheffield would get a shot to show what he could
do. The 6-4, 187-pound junior has been the No. 3 quarterback for
the last two seasons, getting a little bit of work two years
ago, but he didn't see the field last season and has mostly been
a scout teamer. The former walk-on knows what he's doing in the
system, but he's not Potts.
Sophomore Stefan
Loucks isn't all that big at just 6-1 and 171 pounds,
and he doesn't fit the Texas Tech mold, but he can throw. The
former Arkansas high school star threw for 13,701 career yards
and 147 touchdowns, but he'll have to fight with Seth
Doege for the No. 3 job. A great recruit last year, the
6-2, 207-pound redshirt freshman is an accurate passer who can
throw it all over the field. However, he hasn't played in three
years having injury issues over his final two years in high
school. The 2,439-yard, 27 touchdown sophomore season, and his
upside, were enough to get him interest from several big-time
programs.
Watch Out For ... Potts to be more than fine in place
of Harrell. He'll make more mistakes than the long-time starter
did, but he'll also make more throws and will open up the deep
game.
Strength: It's Texas Tech. Mike Leach doesn't just
throw anyone out there at quarterback. The system works
perfectly with a passer getting time to learn and figure out how
to make the reads, and then he's unleashed on the world. Potts
is ready.
Weakness: Experience. Potts has seen mop-up work
here and there, at least enough to have gotten his feet wet, but
he hasn't had any pressure on him in a real game. There's no
experience whatsoever among the reserves.
Outlook: It's not like Texas Tech will go to the
wishbone now that Harrell is gone. Potts will throw for around
4,500 yards and over 35 touchdowns, but he needs to stay
healthy. There's a huge drop-off from Potts to the backups, and
unlike last year when there was a good No. 2 in place, there
will be problems if injuries of ineffectiveness strike.
Rating: 8
Running Backs
Projected Starter:
Junior Baron Batch
had some issues with an Achilles heel injury going into
last season, but he was fine from the start and finished with a
team-high 758 yards with seven touchdowns, and he caught 45
passes for 449 yards and a score. Very consistent and very
productive, he was almost certain to run for 50 yards and catch
3-to-5 balls a game for big gains. With 4.4 speed, he can crank
out yards in chunks, averaging 6.7 yards per carry and ten yards
per grab. and at 5-11 and 200 pounds, he can provide a little
bit of pop. He's always working, always doing the little things
the team needs, and he's always coming through
Projected Top Reserve: Ready to explode on
the scene is Harrison Jeffers, a
5-9, 210-pound redshirt freshman who
can fly. He was an Oklahoma high school track star
running a 10.28 in the 100 meters and is a perfect fit for the
Red Raider offense with excellent hands and a burst through the
hole whenever he gets the ball. He showed enough this offseason
to be No. 1A in the running back rotation.
5-11,
199-pound sophomore Aaron Crawford was never
right last year seeing time in just two games and gaining 26
yards and a touchdown. His shoulder injury kept him out of the
mix this offseason, but when he's right, he has the ability to
be a star in the system with big-time speed and good power
through the hole. However, along with the shoulder, he has
fumbling problems. If he can't hang on to the ball, he can't be
a part of the rotation. Even so, he's experienced with 38
catches for 246 yards and two touchdowns two years ago to go
along with 214 rushing yards and four scores.
If and when
the offense ever uses a fullback, it'll be up to Ryan
Hale to step in. He'll never get any carries, but he
might catch a pass or two, making one grab for four years. The
6-1, 227-pound senior will be a blocker when he gets in. That's
all.
Watch Out For ... Jeffers. Texas Tech likes darting
fast runners who can catch the ball. Jeffers is faster and is a
better receiver than most of the backs in the Mike Leach era,
and he can run, too. He's the perfect fit.
Strength: Tremendous quickness. By design, the
coaching staff gets a certain type of back. They're all around
5-11 and 200 pounds, they can all catch, and they can all cut on
a dime. Batch, Jeffers and Crawford can all produce.
Weakness: The offense. Again, by design, the backs
aren't going to get too many carries, but they'll average over
five yards a pop every time they touch it. While the running
game has been a nice complement to the high octane passing
attack over the years, it'll have to do more this season with a
new quarterback under center. Defenses, at least early on, will
dare Taylor Potts to throw it and will load up, at least a
little bit more, against the run.
Outlook: For what Texas Tech wants to do running
the ball, the backs are in place. Batch is excellent, Jeffers
has the chance to be special, and Crawford, when he's right, can
produce. The running game will average just over 100 yards per
game, but the backs will all catch and they'll all crank out
yards in big chunks.
Rating: 7
Receivers
Projected Starters:
Michael Crabtree might be
gone, but there are talented players waiting to step in. Looking
to become the new star of the passing game will be
Detron Lewis, a 6-0, 209-pound junior who averaged 12
yards per grab, just like Crabtree, and finished second on the
team with 76 catches for 913 yards and three touchdowns. A
physical, precise route runner on the inside, he was steady
throughout the year with only one game catching fewer than four
passes. While he only had one 100-yard game and two of his three
scores came late in the regular season, he has the make-up to do
more and be a No. 1 go-to target.
On the outside will be Ed Britton, a backup
last year who caught 35 passes for 577 yards and six scores,
averaging 16.5 yards per grab. He made 48 catches as a reserve
in 2007 and is ready to get a lot more work thrown his way. The
6-0, 175-pound senior is a former running back an was a
superstar high school sprinter on a national scale, and he has
the potential to stretch the field even more. Now he has to be
consistent. He caught two touchdown passes against Ole Miss in
the Cotton Bowl and caught seven balls for 139 yards against
Texas, but he caught three passes over the final three games of
the regular season.
It'll be an ongoing battle for the
flanker job, but at the moment, 6-2, 195-pound redshirt freshman
Alex Torres appears to have the inside track.
Originally part of the Air Force, he broke his hand, transferred
to Texas Tech, and now appears to be ready for big things after
a good spring and showing off the speed needed to stretch the
field. He might not be a No. 1 option, but he'll have a few
explosive games when he can't be stopped.
Sophomore Tramain Swindall will start out at
the other inside spot along with Detron Lewis. At 6-2 and 175
pounds, he has good size and is extremely physical. While he was
an all-star receiver in high school, he was also a big hitter at
corner. Last year he showed off his potential by finishing
fourth on the team with 46 catches for 561 yards and two scores,
highlighted by a seven-catch, 101-yard day against Texas A&M.
Despite his reserve status, he was steady and consistent
catching fewer than three passes in just two games
Projected Top Reserves: Battling with Alex Torres
for the flanker job will be Jacoby Franks, a
6-1, 194-pound sophomore who saw a little time catching six
passes for 58 yards. While he's not the team's most talented
receiver, he's smooth, can get down the field, and has the
upside to stretch the field and make big plays as the fourth or
fifth receiving option.
One of the team's most
interesting prospects is Adrian Reese. The
junior doesn't just have tremendous speed, but he's 6-7 and 207
pounds with a world of upside. More like a tight end than a big
receiver, he has made a few plays in his career, catching ten
passes so far, but he didn't do anything last year and now is
fighting to get in the mix. His skills are too good to not do
more.
Somewhere in the equation will be 6-1, 165-pound
junior Lyle Leong, a starter for 12 games last
season making 18 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
However, he missed all of spring ball for undisclosed reasons
and will have to fight to get a starting spot back. He didn't do
enough when he got his chances, but he has the experience and
the athleticism to be a big producer on the outside now that
Crabtree is gone.
Watch Out For ... Torres. He was the talk of spring
ball making plays all over the field and looking strong enough
to be an explosive element for the high-octane passing attack.
While he won't be a go-to target, he should emerge as a
statistical star in a few games.
Strength: It's Texas Tech. Yes, the players make
the system go, but the coaching and the system don't hurt the
players. Britton and Lewis have been around long enough to go
from being out of the Crabtree limelight to into the forefront.
They're good enough to make up for the lost production.
Weakness: Michael Crabtree. Two years, 231
catches, 3,127 yards, 41 touchdowns, one rushing score, two
Biletnikoff awards. Texas Tech has talent returning, but it
doesn't have a Crabtree.
Outlook: The receiving corps will be more than
fine without Mr. 49er, and it could actually, in an efficiency
sort of way, be more complete. No, you don't get better by
losing a star of Crabtree's magnitude, but it's not like the
cupboard is bare now that he's gone. Lewis was the team's second
leading receiver, Swindall was fourth, Britton averaged 16.5
yards per catch, and there are plenty of good targets waiting to
emerge.
Rating: 8
Offensive Linemen
Projected Starters:
There will be plenty of shuffling
around to try to find the right fits for the right spots. At the moment,
6-5, 295-pound junior Chris Olson will take over Rylan
Reed's left tackle spot. However, Olson is a far better guard than he is
a tackle, but he's good enough to hold his own at the all-important
position. He was a backup last year in seven games, seeing most of his
work at guard and on special teams, but he was a big-time tackle recruit
who should shine now that he'll get a starting spot.
If Olson stays at tackle, it'll be up to Brandon Carter
to take over for Louis Vasquez at left guard. A massive 6-7, 340-pound
veteran, he started every game at right guard, could move to tackle if
needed, and will likely settle in to a spot on the left side where he'll
use his bulk as a devastating run blocker. He has earned honorable
mention All-Big 12 honors, and can move well for his size. Now he has to
stay healthy after having problems with his knee.
With Carter moving sides, 6-7, 320-pound sophomore Mickey Okafor
will look to take over at right guard after seeing three games
of action. He's a very big, very strong blocker who has just enough
athleticism to play tackle with the bulk to be a guard. He's a pass
blocker, and he should be a good one on the interior. He'll be tried out
on both the right and left sides, but he's a better fit for the right.
The one returning starter who's all but certain to stay in his spot is
Marlon Winn, a 6-6, 325-pound senior who took over the
starting gig two years ago and hasn't let it go. A tremendous pass
blocking right tackle, Winn earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors
and he should be the anchor of the line this year.
Senior Shawn Bynes
has the ability to be a rock-solid center, and he
has been great when he's been on the field, but he
can't stay healthy. He only played in six games last
year, starting once, and he has been hurt throughout
his career to the point of being unreliable.
However, he's incredibly strong, has been around the
block, and has good size at 6-4 and 290 pounds.
Projected Top Reserves: In a perfect world,
Terry McDaniel becomes a steady
force at left tackle and Chris Olson can move to
guard. The 6-7, 330-pound redshirt freshman will
eventually be the starter on the outside, and it
could happen as soon as fall camp breaks. Extremely
tough and a fantastic pass protector in high school,
he has all the tools to become a good one. He'll get
every chance.
One of the only experienced backups is
Lonnie Edwards, a 6-5, 288-pound sophomore
who saw time in six games and can be used in a
variety of ways. Built like a tackle, he can move
outside if needed, but he'll start out working in
the left guard rotation and will see action on
special teams.
Watch Out For ... shuffling. A lot of shuffling. The
parts are there, but it's a question of how the
coaching staff wants to put them all together.
Olson, Carter, and McDaniel will all be a part of
the mix on the left side, but in what way?
Strength: Pass protection. It doesn't matter who's
up front, the Tech line always keeps the quarterback
clean. It's not just the system; it's vital for the
line to be good to give the quarterback time to make
a third and fourth read. Tech allowed 13 sacks in
457 passing attempts.
Weakness: Veterans. The line loses two all-stars
in Rylan Reed and Louis Vasquez and has to hope that
Olson, Byrnes, and Okafor are ready for bigger
roles.
Outlook: The unsung strength of the offense for
the last few years, the line has been a rock in pass
protection and has been great for the running game
when needed. While the players had a lot to do with
that, Leach and the coaching staff appears to have
figured out how to come up with an ultra-productive
line. There are concerns regarding the right mix of
players, and there's nothing to count on among the
reserves, at least right away, but the line will be
fine with a little time and some tweaking.
Rating: 7