Joey McGuire on 'Deep' Texas Tech Football Depth Chart for Week 1 vs. ACU
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LUBBOCK, Texas — With the first game in view, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire says he goes back to his days as a young high school coach to describe his emotions leading up to the kickoff of a new season.
That excitement comes, in part, because this is the deepest Red Raiders roster he's been a part of coming into his fifth season at the helm.
"Y'all know I'm always fired up and I'm always optimistic. I've been saying we're going to win the Big 12 since the day I got here," McGuire said in his first game-week press conference of the year.
"I'm just telling you, I have never been on a team this deep."
McGuire and his staff have formulated the first depth chart of the year, but he feels confident in any number of combinations that might see the field this Saturday night against Abilene Christian.
"Like, it doesn't matter who starts. … It's really every room that you can walk into, that whoever is out there, they're gonna play at a really high level."
READ MORE:What Does TCU's Loss Mean for Texas Tech's Big 12 Title Pursuit?
Here's a look at the No. 12-ranked Red Raiders' Week 1 depth chart and what McGuire had to say about some key positions.
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QB Will Hammond ready to 'spin it'
Starting at the top, redshirt sophomore Will Hammond remains at the top of the quarterback room as he returns from last fall's torn ACL.
"He feels really good, so we're gonna go out there and let him spin it," McGuire said.
Tommy Castellanos, the ex-Florida State dual-threat who is Tech's newest roster addition, is added into the bottom of the depth chart behind Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis and redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones III.
McGuire said he hopes to see all of his quarterbacks at least once, in addition to the depth at other positions, in the game against the Wildcats.
"That's part of the evaluation process," he said.
He added that Castellanos has a good chance of appearing in each game because of his vast college football experience and explosiveness with the ball in his hands as a playmaker.
'They're all three starters'
Cameron Dickey, J'Koby Williams and Quinten Joyner are listed in that order in the running back room, though there is an "or" designation between Williams and Joyner for who the true second-strong guy is.
McGuire sees it as a trio where each is good enough to contribute on a regular basis.
"We really don't care who's out there," McGuire said. "Somebody's going to have to start the game. I don't know who that is yet … but all three of those guys are starters in our eyes. I am really excited about that room because you're gonna see a lot of different things."
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Versatility along the defensive line
Transfer pass rusher Trey White suffered a knee injury during practice that designates him as "week-to-week," but it's an issue McGuire says isn't serious.
In the event White needs to sit out the opener, McGuire says the defensive ends are trained at multiple positions along the line, which could lead Adam Trick to shuffling from END to DOG.
Although McGuire says his starters will be the ones who have the most career experience, his mentioned 5-star freshman prospect LaDamion Guyton has come along nicely.
"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."
Micah Hudson headlines WR starters
Hudson enters his first season as a full-time starter after becoming the program's first 5-star signee in 2024. He is listed next to Kenny Johnson and Coy Eakin as starters in the three main receiver positions.
McGuire recalls his pressure-filled season as a freshman, then gaining the respect of the locker room in his return as a sophomore and how that adversity has prepared him well for this upcoming year.
"He's won the position. He's our starting outside receiver. So, now it's just go relax, and go be Micah Hudson."
Who lines up at safety?
The defensive backfield is among the uncertainties entering this season for Texas Tech, but McGuire rests in the confidence that each player – Peyton Morgan, Oliver Miles III, Malik Esquerra and freshman Maddox Quiller – has performed well throughout camp.
Veteran returner Brendan Jordan is listed as the starting free safety next to Morgan at strong safety.
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