Texas Tech Football: Spring Takeaways; A Bit of Hope

CBS Sports’ Ben Kercheval had a takeaway from every Big 12 team after the spring practice. Here’s the bit about Texas Tech:

There’s only one Big 12 coach on the hot seat entering the 2021 season, and that’s Matt Wells. The offense has to be restored, and the first step was firing offensive coordinator David Yost. The second was bringing in Oregon transfer Tyler Shough at quarterback. Otherwise, Tech actually returns a lot of key production from last year’s team.

Under Wells, a lot of wins have been close calls while the losses have been embarrassing. Last year’s passing offense was the worst at Tech in eons. Shough saw his production dwindle at the end of 2020 with Anthony Brown coming into the mix for the Ducks, but he was a fairly effective passer for much of the year. If there’s one player that can keep Wells off the hot seat — or, at least, keep it a manageable temperature — it’s Shough.

I’ll be honest, I think all indications are that Shough is going to be the quarterback and as Kahn said is that the Sonny Cumbie move from TCU was something that Cumbie wanted because he wanted more independence and Gary Patterson wanted more control over the offense.

Want to be sold some hope? I have good news. The Athletic’s Sam Kahn, Jr. is the new beat reporter for The Athletic, covering the state of Texas and he recently wrote a State of the Program article about Texas Tech that’s received a lot of praise. I have still not paid for a subscription service (although I am guessing that the ability to NOT do this is shortening by the minute). Kahn did an interview with RedRaiderSports’ Matt Clare and Taylor Beadles that’s worth your time and the hope that I want to sell you is that Kahn thinks that Texas Tech finishes in the upper half of the Big 12. I’d love to tell you that I’m confident about the team finishing in the top half, but I think I need more time to ponder that.

RedRaiderSports’ Ben Golan did a Q&A with 2021 commit Imari Jones from Coronado. Go read the whole thing. I loved the answer to this question:

What is the last thing you want to tell Tech fans before you head out to Lubbock?
“As a Lubbock native I know how much the city of Lubbock loves not only Texas Tech Football, not only Texas Tech sports but Texas Tech in general, and I am thankful for all the support and kind words I have received from fans.

I will play hard and work harder in order to be not only the best player but also a great person on and off the field, so that I can set an example for all the little eyes watching. To all the kids who have heard doubt and feel like you should give up, just keep going one play at a time, keep pushing and you will get why you are working for. Hard work perseveres always and I can’t wait to get on campus. WRECK ‘EM!”

The cause of death has not been released, but do not think it matters. Yesterday, Jake Ehlinger, brother to Sam, was found dead at his house in Austin. Think a good thought for the Ehlinger family.

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