McGuire talks second Texas Tech scrimmage, QB competition, offensive line, kicking game

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire met with local media in the bowels of Jones AT&T Stadium following the team’s second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday afternoon. Inside the Red Raiders was also on-hand to participate in the question and answer session. The following are notes and quotes from what McGuire said:

• Texas Tech emerged from the second scrimmage of fall camp, mostly injury free. Receiver Jordan Brown sprained an ankle Saturday, but it’s not expected to be serious.
• McGuire did not name the starting quarterback Saturday, but said he would as early as Sunday or Monday. He added that no matter who starts the opener against Murray State, which is just two weeks away now, that Tyler Shough, Donovan Smith and Behren Morton would all play in the game.
• The next closest position battle going on right now is at center between newcomers Cade Briggs (6-3, 300) and Dennis Wilburn (6-3, 320). McGuire said the starter at center would be announced soon as well, but that the competition wouldn’t end there, the coaches will continue to evaluate who is performing better week-to-week and play the best option.

• It sounds like Monroe Mills (6-6, 315) is the clear leader for the starting right tackle gig, but Ty Buchanan (6-6, 295) is also in the mix.
• Veteran offensive lineman Weston Wright (6-6, 320) is expected to start at one of the guard spots, probably on the left side next to starting tackle Caleb Rogers.
• Other guards in the mix to start and play a lot include Landon Peterson (6-6, 300) and redshirt freshman Jacoby Jackson (6-6, 335), who has emerged in camp as a possible starter.
• “The other guy who has had a really good camp that’s in the mix, is Jacoby Jackson. Jacoby has had a great camp and he’s going to play both guards, so it might be a little different. We might be playing three guards throughout the game with him being the swing guy playing left and right.”
• Newcomer Cole Spencer (6-4, 305) is expected to miss the opener while recovering from an injury, but once healthy and in proper football/contact shape he’ll be in the rotation at one of the guard spots.
• McGuire said Briggs, Wilburn and Wright are all capable of playing any of the three interior lineman positions. The staff is just looking for the best combination at those spots.
• Brady Boyd is the backup behind Loic Fouonji at Z receiver. Jerand Bradley is the starter at X with JJ Sparkman second on the depth chart there. Boyd will also play some inside receiver.

• Trey Wolff will continue to serve as the kickoff specialist, but he and Gino Garcia’s placekicking competition will be ongoing throughout the season.
• “It could be throughout the game that you’re seeing one of the other. It’s going to be throughout the week who is kicking the best. I love our quarterback room, but I may love our specialist room even more because we have, I think, the best punter (Austin McNamara) in the country and then you turn around and have two kickers who have shown week-in-and-week-out in the spring and in the fall that they’re solid. They can go out here and make some.”
• McGuire said Dimitri Moore has shown a lot of versatility being able to play both inside and outside linebacker spots.
• Keyon Blankenbaker has also been a versatile player in camp, showing the ability to play all three safety spots, especially at Star, the safety/linebacker position. Blankenbaker is currently backing up Marquis Waters at Star, but will likely play at all three safety spots during the season.
• McGuire is pleased with the effort his players have shown this offseason, including during fall camp, “It’s been great. I have told them this multiple times, I can’t ask for more from these guys. We have strained them for every minute that the NCAA allows us to have in camp. They have been in a camp that they have never been a part of before and there’s not been one time that they have not responded. Can we be better? No doubt. Can we play faster? No doubt. Can we more physical? Yes, but as far as what we’re asking them to do they are trying their best to do it and they’re doing it with a great attitude.”
• Texas Tech’s top four cornerbacks who are expected to play the most this season are Rayshad Williams, Adrian Frye, Malik Dunlap and Kobe Minor. True freshmen Maurion Horn and Milestone Peoples have played well, but need to gain some weigh and develop in order to consistently battle the bigger receivers in the Big 12.