2017 Texas Tech Red Raiders

[Leonardfan]

Since 2006, Texas Tech has started 7, 9, 8, 10, 7, 8, 5, 4, 7 and 5. It looks like one year is missing. In 2017 the Red Raiders are projected to start 6 in 2017.

This was a team who churned out Wes Welker and Danny Amdendola in the the past 15 years - hopefully WR Dylan Cantrell follows suit. Senior QB Nic Shimonek takes the helm after Mahomes went pro and was overrated. Let's see how often Shimonek will be labeled a system QB whereas Mahomes somehow escaped that stigma - Just another example of the caste system in action!


Players to look out for include WR Zach Martin, QB McClane Carter. 4/5 of the backup OL are white athletes. Outside of projected starting DE Eli Howard no white defensive players on the two deep - this has been one of the worst defenses in the country over the past few years. They finished last in scoring defense and total defense in 2016.


Offense
QB - Nic Shimonek
WR - Dylan Cantrell
LT - Travis Bruffy
C - Paul Stawarz
RG - Jack Anderson


Defense
DE Eli Howard

 

[Shadowlight]

WR Dylan Cantrell isn't on too many NFL lists but if he has a big season you never know. He has a vertical over 40 inches and is not slow--maybe a 4.4 guy? He was listed as 4.4 coming out of high school but often those times are off. And he has NFL size-6'3"-223. So if he can build up a nice resume his senior year and perform well in the 40 yard dash then maybe the NFL will come calling.

 

[Leonardfan]

Cantrell does have the potential to be this year's Chad Hansen. Hopefully Shimonek feeds him the ball so he can put up some eye catching stats which will help him during the draft process. At 6'3 220 lbs he is a very big WR so if utilized correctly he should be able to dominate the weak big 12 secondaries. Of course everyone will label him as a product of the system during the draft process (a label which more and more only applies to white players) but he should be fun to keep tabs on during the season.

 

[Red Raider]

I'm a Texas tech student who's new to the site but has been following for a while, so I can give a little more insight into the players. WR Zach Austin is a guy to watch with 2 inside receivers transferring and Austin healthy from an injury he should see his fair share of backup snaps after making some catches in 2015. On defense there's isn't too much to be excited about, at LB Brayden Stringer got a lot of playing time as a true freshman and John Picone saw time as a backup and on special teams. DE Houston Miller is a guy to watch as well, he was insanely good in high school and is a big and strong guy who has experience at DE, LB and TE. DB Justus Parker is a guy to watch as wel after transferring from Texas Lutheran he turned heads in spring and is competing for a spot at Nickel. This was my first post and I look forward to contributing more!

 

[Leonardfan]

Nice to get some perspective from a TT student who follows the program closely. Welcome to the forum!

Just curious - do you think Shimonek will put up big numbers?

 

[Red Raider]

I do think he'll put up big numbers, he did very good in limited action last year and actually originally went to Iowa which is usually a better team than TTU if that says anything. He seems mature and ready for the job as a 5th year senior and it's not too hard to succeed in the system we run.

 

[Leonardfan]

I do think he'll put up big numbers, he did very good in limited action last year and actually originally went to Iowa which is usually a better team than TTU if that says anything. He seems mature and ready for the job as a 5th year senior and it's not too hard to succeed in the system we run.

What were your thoughts on Mahomes? Do you think he escaped much of the system QB label that has been heaped upon other QBs that have played in similar systems (Luke Falk for example)?

As someone who has followed the draft for a very long time and knowing that he played in a very QB friendly offense against bad big 12 secondaries was a huge red flag but alot of the criticism seemed to be almost swept under the rug IMO.

 

[Red Raider]

What were your thoughts on Mahomes? Do you think he escaped much of the system QB label that has been heaped upon other QBs that have played in similar systems (Luke Falk for example)?

As someone who has followed the draft for a very long time and knowing that he played in a very QB friendly offense against bad big 12 secondaries was a huge red flag but alot of the criticism seemed to be almost swept under the rug IMO.

Personally I thought mahomes was incredible, I think he escaped it due to his incredible arm strength and ability to create plays out of nothing. His biggest issue will be converting to a pro offense and making less throws with little chance of being caught because those will become interceptions in the pros. But I love mahomes and I think he will succeed in the NFL because he performs great every time he steps on the field.

 

[Leonardfan]

Texas A&M junior DT Jesse Brown transferred to Texas Tech as a walk-on.
The 5-foot-11, 290-pounder spent 2015 at Navarro College and then had six tackles in five games last year at Texas A&M. He's immediately eligible to play.

 

[Red Raider]

Unfortunate SR slot receiver Zach austin has suffered a season ending knee injury wiping him out before the season starts for the seconds year in a row. This is unfortunate because Austin was expected to contribute often in the passing attack while returning but has suffered another injury. In 2015 he played well in limited action with 22 catches for 238 yards and a TD