By Tony Thomas
The Texas Tech Red Raiders posted a 7-6 record (5-4 in the Big 12) a season ago, with three of their losses by eight points or less. However, they did get a signature 3-point win over then-19th-ranked Kansas on the road.
With the Red Raiders returning just 52% of their production from last year’s squad, head coach Joey McGuire went into the transfer portal for help on both sides of the ball to ease the pain of attrition. Here are three transfers that will make an impact heading into spring practice and beyond.
WR Josh Kelly
Previous School: Washington State Cougars
6’1”, 192 lbs.
In just one season with the Cougars, Josh Kelly led the team with 61 catches for 923 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 15 yards/catch. Kelly posted four games of 100 yards receiving, including three in a row to finish the season.
Josh Kelly TD for Washington State
Oregon State defense needs to learn how to tackle pic.twitter.com/iNVu9XEZ2c
— JoeJacquez (@JoeMontanaBets) September 24, 2023
Against Oregon State, Kelly caught eight passes for 159 yards and three TDs in a 38-35 win. For his collegiate career, including four seasons at Fresno State, Kelly has 147 catches, 2,338 yards, and 12 touchdowns to his credit.
OL Davion Carter
Previous School: Memphis Tigers
6’3”, 290 lbs.
As a 2nd Team All-AAC selection (by Phil Steele) in 2023, Davion Carter graded out at 82.6, good enough for 5th in the FBS. Carter graded in the Top 10 in both pass blocking and run blocking, one of only four offensive linemen to accomplish that feat.
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Memphis transfer OL Davion Carter committed to Texas Tech https://t.co/ioA52Eyqh9
— FarrellPortal (@farrellportal) December 14, 2023
With 23 starts under his belt at Memphis, Carter is considered one of the best in the FBS. How good? Carter gave up just one sack in 1,000 snaps last season.
DB Jovon Jackson
Previous School: Fairmont State (Div. II)
6’2”, 195 lbs.
An all-conference selection that can play any position in the defensive secondary, Jovon Jackson racked up 84 tackles, one INT, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and blocked two kicks. Those 84 tackles would have been good enough for #2 on the Red Raiders team.
DII Fairmont State transfer DB Jovon Jackson committed to Texas Tech https://t.co/95RpVgz2d4
— FarrellPortal (@farrellportal) December 9, 2023
In his three-year collegiate career, Jackson has 183 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two INTs, 14 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and five blocked kicks in 32 games played. Jackson brings needed experience and athleticism to the Red Raiders defense.
In addition to the talented transfers listed above, Texas Tech also returns QB Behren Morton, RB Tahj Brooks (1,538 yards, 10 TDs), and linebackers Ben Roberts (107 tackles) and Jacob Rodriguez (32 tackles, one INT), to name a few. Coach McGuire has talent to work with to improve on last season’s win total.
