San Diego State transfer Trey White may not be in pads when the Red Raiders hit the field this Saturday to face Abilene Christian.
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech defensive end Trey White, a senior transfer from San Diego State, stepped wrong in practice and tweaked his knee, says head coach Joey McGuire.
The injury is said to be "nothing major", but does land White with a "week-to-week" designation days ahead of the Red Raiders' season-opener at home against Abilene Christian.
In his place, McGuire said one of the more experienced players will slide into the starting lineup if White is unable to. The coach explained that several players, such as EDGE transfer Adam Trick, are skilled enough and trained at different positions to create many combinations that McGuire is confident in.
Last season, White earned all-conference honors for the Aztecs with seven sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and 53 total takedowns. That production came after a breakout season in 2024 where he recorded 12.5 sacks.
White, a 6-2 250-pound pass rusher, was among the Red Raiders' most significant additions in this year's transfer portal cycle after several members of the defensive line took their talents to the NFL, such as No. 2 overall pick David Bailey.
White was named by ESPN as the No. 83 ranked player in college football individually, and the fifth-year senior's resume is as impressive as they come in regard to wreaking havoc behind the line of scrimmage.
Over the last two seasons, White and Texas Longhorns star Colin Simmons (who ranks No. 3 on the list) are the only two active college players to have completed at least 19.5 sacks since the start of 2024.
Although McGuire gave first mention of more seasoned veterans, he'd be remiss not to talk about stout freshman defensive end LaDamion Guyton, the program's highest-rated defensive recruit to date.
Guyton, who sits directly behind White at the DOG position on the depth chart, was a late arrival this summer as he settled things with his NCAA eligibility after reclassifying up a grade. Since he's joined the team, McGuire has only had good things to say.
"LaDamion's been doing a great job, he's just limited as far as - he wasn't here during the summer. He's a football guy. He's picking up stuff really, really fast."
McGuire says he expects Guyton to get several opportunities to produce this season.
The first could come as soon as this weekend with White potentially sidelined.
Texas Tech kicks off with the FCS at 6 p.m. on Sep. 5. at Galaxy Stadium.
