Texas Tech Football Position Preview: Offensive Line

Photo CC: texastech.com

The Red Raiders ranked 2nd best pass protection in the Big 12 in 2019 allowing only 18 sacks last season over 538 passing plays. The Texas Tech squad lost both Tackles from last year due to graduation, but still, have a bright future with Jack Anderson returning to the field after only playing in 3 games in 2019. This offensive line might take a few games to build chemistry and work out the 2nd tackle position, but look for the run blocking to improve from the 2019 season and to continue their success in the passing game. 

Projected Depth Chart

Right Tackle: Casey Verhulst (RS JR)

Left Tackle: Josh Burger (GR TR)

Other Tackles: Troy Bradshaw (RS SO) Zach Adams (RS SR),  Ethan Carde (SO)

Right Guard: Jack Anderson (RS JR)

Left Guard: Weston Wright (RS SO)

Center: Dawson Deaton (RS JR)

Interior Linemen:Clayton Franks (RS SO), Will Farrar (RS JR).

Casey Verhulst (RS JR) 

Casey is a 6’6” Junior from Plano, Texas. He started 3 games last season at tackle so projecting him to start this year isn’t necessarily a hard choice. A side note: Texas Tech won all 3 games that Casey started last season.

Jack Anderson (RS JR) 

Jack is a 6’5” Junior from Frisco, Texas. Jack is the clear cut leader for the offensive line this season, he made the All-Big 12 preseason teams in 2019 and 2020. His 2019 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, but look for him to return to top form and be a dominant force in the 2020 campaign.
 

Dawson Deaton (RS JR) 

Dawson is a 6’6” Junior also from Frisco, Texas. Dawson was the staple of Texas Tech’s line last year starting all 12 games and earning an honorable mention on the All-Big 12 team. Look for Dawson to build on the progress from last season and reach an All-Big 12 team this year.

Weston Wright (RS SO)

Weston is a 6’6” Sophomore from New Braunfels, Texas. Wright started 8 games last year at right guard filling in for Jack Anderson. With Jack returning this year look for Weston to bump over to the left guard position and try to improve on last year.

Josh Burger (GR TR) 

Josh is a 6’3” Grad Transfer from Wofford College. Josh is only 6 foot 3 but has explosive power consistently putting defensive ends and outside linebackers on their backs last year at Wofford. This 2nd tackle is probably the most open position on the line as there is not a clear cut starter at this moment.

Troy Bradshaw (RS SO)

Troy is a 6’6” sophomore from Mineral Wells, Texas. Troy played in 2 games in 2019, but Texas Tech lost both of its starting tackles so that could open up some rotational space for the sophomore tackle.

Zach Adams (RS SR)

Zack is a 6’6” senior from  Fredricksburg, Va.. As a special teams regular you might have seen Adams on the field quite a bit in 2019. Zach could see more time in 2020 as a role player or potentially start some games at tackle.

 Ethan Carde (SO)

Ethan is a 6’8” sophomore from Valrico, Fla. He spent the 2019 season in Coffeyville Community College and ended up as the number 18 junior college tackle in the nation. After transferring to Texas Tech he could play a significant role on the offensive line 2020.

Clayton Franks (RS SO)

Clayton is a 6’4” sophomore from Mansfield, Texas. Clayton is looking to see more playing time in 2020 after only seeing playing time in 3 games in 2019 and being a redshirt in 2018.