Non-transcripts for running backs coach Garret McGuire and run game coordinator and tight ends coach Josh Cochran.

Up first is Garret McGuire:

• Unfortunate to have that injury to Quinten Joyner for a competitive player that he is. The good things is that we’re not going to miss a beat, no one is feeling sorry for us. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves. Hate it for Q. Great opportunity for Adam Hill (6-1/230) and Michael Henderson (5-9/175), rushed for 1,300 in 6A football.
• Only got to work with him 1 day, we knew it was coming at some point. But we were always talking about cross-training, he’s been a pro and approached it well, but Cameron Dickey (5-10/215) and J’Koby Williams (5-10/185) will lead that room.
• Can’t say who will start. Plan is to have “or” for 12 weeks. Want to ride the hot hand. Still be by committee, not two other guys who I want having our back in the program.
• Possibly limit J’Koby on special teams maybe, maybe a question for Kenny Perry. Our receiver room is impressive.
• For Hill, these next few weeks will tell us about snap count, yesterday he was running with the 2’s and he had his best blitz pick-up. He will have to earn that role.
• Henderson moved over on Tuesday. He’s excited and embraced it, taking great notes and his knowledge and the traction he’s gained. Offense is a bit easier for the offense. Yesterday was the first day he took a carry since November.
• Looking to see if Coach Fitch will let Skyler run the ball a bit / tongue in cheek /
• Big question for J’Koby, but he’s a tough kid and he’s 185 pounds, but the way he plays ball, there’s an energy and enthusiasm. He put that on tape last year and did that against big time opponents.
• Just looking at the numbers, Leftwich averaged 76 plays a game and Tahj Brooks averaged 66 plays a game, if Cam and J’Koby can’t play 38 plays a game then we’ve got the wrong guys. I know they will, it will be a war of attrition and they will have to take care of their bodies. I’m excited, it’s unfortunate for Quin, but excited for those 2 guys.
• J’Koby was a leader of the running back room. His work and his bright personality. I’ve seen something out of Cam, there might not be another person who has had a better camp. He’s put himself in a position to have a great year. They are going to play with Red Raider speed and violence and put this team first.
• We talk about PTF, protect the family, goes back to Cedar Hill. They will be carrying the ball for the team and themselves, but also for Quinten.

And here’s Josh Cochran:

• Third tight end is probably Jason Llewellyn, he’s more of a blocker. He has stepped up as that third guy.
• Very similar in that the tight end is asked to do the most in the offense in knowing the running game and the passing game. They have to be versatile, have to have an o-line mentality when blocking and attacking the ball as a receiver. He does some good things to get the ball in playmakers hands. Will be getting the ball to those guys.
• Terrance Carter was a quarterback in high school, he will tell you that he throws better than Jalin Conyers. He could be asked to do some of the wildcat stuff, we try to be as creative as possible.
• Preztynn Harrison stayed in the receiver room. Sean Robinson is in the room with us, nickname Rambo, he’s still a bit light. If he’s willing to block then we’ll teach him.
• He likes the movie Rambo.
• Haven’t seen much of Michael Henderson, do know that he went in on 9 on 7 and ran the ball down the A gap. I hate it for Quinten, seeing what Garret has done for that kid and am sick for him. Excited for Cam and J’Koby.
• There will probably be an “or” by them, Johncarlos Miller is better and Terrence is better in different areas. I’m a guy that says that you should earn everything you get. We’re trying to be the brand and be competitive every day. That’s something we preach in the tight end room. Will take the cumulative grade for each practice and that’s who will start.
• Has a lot to do with the game plan, some defenses struggle against 12 personnel, it’s not going to be a cookie cutter percentage. Our offensive skillset is very dynamic, just whatever is needed that week.
• Garret brings out the best in everyone, he was a quarterback at Baylor when I was coaching there. He brings out the best in his players and seeing Q grow, at first he wanted to play football, but now he’s a pro in every aspect in how he watches film and handles the classroom, he will come back stronger than when he left.

ESPN ranks the top 100 players with LB Jacob Rodriguez at #92 and OLB David Bailey at #57.

CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyaraiah wrangles the CBS Sports’ staff, with Texas Tech receiving the most overrated and the most underrated team moniker (numerous teams are listed) along with lots of other content. Here’s the bit about Texas Tech being overrated:

Texas Tech: It’s hard to say anybody in the Big 12 is overrated because it truly is anybody’s ballgame, but I do think we’re all overreacting to Tech’s transfer portal bonanza. The results of the portal have shown that the biggest benefactors have been the programs who were already established powers. When it comes to everyone else, you’ll see an occassional team make a huge leap, but the typical result sees a team improve by a win, if that. The Raiders are far more likely to be 8-4 than 10-2. — Tom Fornelli (also David Cobb)

CBS Sports’ Will Backus has each AP Top 25 team biggest reason for hope and concern:

Optimism: That transfer portal haul. Most college football fans are already aware of Texas Tech’s willingness to take full advantage of the NIL era. The Red Raiders bolstered their roster with a top transfer haul. Thirteen of Tech’s 21 transfer additions received at least a four-star ranking from 247Sports and it added a pair of top-15 prospects in edge rusher David Bailey (Stanford) and offensive lineman Howard Sampson (North Carolina).

Concern: The running back situation. One of Texas Tech’s top transfer additions, running back Quinten Joyner, will miss the entire 2025 season after suffering a knee injury during training camp. He was expected to help replace Tahj Brooks, who rushed for 3,046 yards over the past two seasons. The Red Raiders are going to have to work fast to get J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey ready for a bigger workload.