After a historic 12-2 season, the Red Raiders face a looming trench crisis. All eyes turn to Cash Cleveland’s recovery as the unit fights to protect its quarterbacks.
The offensive line is perhaps one of the most crucial parts for an offense, and for Texas Tech, they will need it to go to another level if they are to replicate what was done in 2025.
A 12-2 record saw the Red Raiders become a powerhouse of college football, and now the task is to build on what was to many a surprisingly fine season.
With an assortment of QB's on the depth chart (post-Brendan Sorsby, that is), who will be protecting them is going to be an interesting watch in 2026.
We know that the Red Raiders have some decent enough protectors, but there is one who is capturing the attention, largely because of the unknown of his game.
And that's guard/center Cash Cleveland.
Having played just six games last season since transferring from Colorado, he was primarily a backup and gave up just two pressures and no sacks during his limited game time, per PFF.
And entering the 2026 season, ESPN's Matt Miller has Cash as one of the top five centers in college football.
But there is a big question mark hanging over him.
"An injury prior to last season limited Cleveland to only six games in his first season at Texas Tech after transferring from Colorado," Miller wrote. "Cleveland will have to battle to crack the starting lineup on an experienced line once healthy and perform at a level that matches his status as a freshman All-American.
"His former play was good enough for inclusion on this list, but he is a pretty big question mark before the season begins."
So, for all of the questions aimed at the Red Raiders, could it be that the sort of player they have in Cleveland could top the list?
Possibly, and he'll need to have a superb offseason to put himself into calculations.
Being injury-free will be a big bonus as Cleveland was tasked with coming to a new program, and then needed to play at a high level straight away.
This time around, he gets some form of continuity, and that hopefully, will lead to him having the type of season many expect him to have.
