Returning stars and dynamic transfers combine. Get ready for potent playmakers and a potentially explosive Big 12 offense ignited by new leadership.
As the transfer portal vortex begins to dissipate over the college football landscape, many teams have suffered personnel losses that will set their programs back to the rebuilding stage. Many players have left their teams searching for more playing time, better teams and more NIL money.
But in Lubbock, Texas, coach Joey McGuire has laid the foundation for a winning culture that current players want to remain a part of and the stars of the portal want to experience.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are rejoicing in the return of 14 starters and key contributors from their Big 12 championship team. Of those returning players, five are of the offensive skill variety.
Two receivers, a tight end and two running backs, plus four talented transfers will form what could be the most dangerous offense in the Big 12 next season.
Returning Firepower
In the backfield, running backs Cam Dickey and J’Koby Williams are back to gain big yardage for the Red Raiders. Dickey rushed for 1,124 yards and 14 touchdowns on his way to earning second-team All-Big 12 honors.
Williams added 868 yards on the ground and six TDs. Both Dickey and Williams are good at catching the ball out of the backfield. They combined for 70 catches and four receiving touchdowns, an added dimension that will put stress on opposing defenses.
The receiving corps will be talented and productive with the return of WR Coy Eakin, TE Terrance Carter Jr., and WR Micah Hudson. All three combined for 111 catches for 1,373 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Incoming Transfers
The biggest acquisition of this transfer cycle was McGuire bringing former Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby onto the roster. The $5 million man accounted for 3,380 total yards and 36 touchdowns for the Bearcats last season.
At receiver, McGuire secured the commitments of Malcolm Simmons (Auburn), Kenny Johnson (Pitt) and Dontae Lee Jr. (Liberty). As a group, they hauled in 95 passes for 1,741 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Both Simmons and Lee averaged 18 yards per catch.
Sorsby and Red Raiders starter Behren Morton are comparable. Morton passed for 2,780 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. But Sorsby brings the dual-threat element Morton did not have.
In four consecutive games last season, Sorsby scored a rushing touchdown against Oklahoma State, Baylor, Utah and Arizona.
The Red Raiders averaged 461 yards per game in total offense last season, good enough for second in the Big 12 and No. 10 nationally. With the returning skill players and the addition of offensive talent from the portal, look for an increase in those total offense numbers.
McGuire and Texas Tech have the makings of a dominant offense and they could easily hoist another Big 12 championship next season.