LUBBOCK, Texas — With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, expectations are surging in Lubbock. The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the fall with momentum, experience, and a deep, talented roster that has many predicting a run at the Big 12 Championship.
Under the direction of third-year head coach Joey McGuire, the Red Raiders are aiming to build on a strong 2024 campaign and take the next step in their climb up the conference ladder. With a balanced mix of veteran leadership and young playmakers, Texas Tech is shaping up to be a serious contender.
Morton Anchors Offense with Experience and Poise
At the heart of Texas Tech’s championship hopes is returning quarterback Behren Morton, who brings stability and production under center. Morton passed for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2024, demonstrating command of the Red Raiders’ “Air Raid” offense and a knack for making big plays under pressure.
Now entering his third season as a starter, Morton is expected to lead one of the most potent offensive units in the Big 12. His comfort with the system, along with improved chemistry with his receivers, has some calling him a dark horse Heisman candidate.
“Behren is our guy,” McGuire said during spring practice. “He’s got the experience, the leadership, and the arm to take us where we want to go.”
Offensive Weapons Abound in Lubbock
The offense is further bolstered by an impressive group of skill position players, starting with wide receiver Micah Hudson. The former five-star recruit — considered the highest-rated prospect in school history — arrives with sky-high expectations after a brief stint at Texas A&M and a senior year in which he totaled 1,353 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Hudson is expected to contribute immediately and could emerge as one of the most electric young playmakers in the country.
Joining him is Terrance Carter Jr., a junior tight end transfer from Louisiana who caught 48 passes for 689 yards and four touchdowns last season. His size and route-running ability provide a reliable option across the middle and in red-zone situations.
In the backfield, Quinten Joyner, a transfer from USC, brings speed and explosiveness. As a freshman in 2024, Joyner averaged 7.6 yards per carry, flashing home-run potential. His ability to contribute in both the running and passing games adds a new dimension to Tech’s offense.
Veteran Defense Poised to Make an Impact
Defensively, Texas Tech returns a battle-tested core that’s expected to keep opposing offenses in check. Senior defensive end Romello Height headlines the group. With experience at Auburn, USC, and Georgia Tech, Height brings versatility, leadership, and a strong pass-rushing presence to the Red Raiders’ front line.
Linebacker David Bailey, a Stanford transfer and former Orange County Defensive Player of the Year, is expected to lead the unit from the middle. Known for his intelligence and physicality, Bailey excels in both run defense and pass coverage and will serve as the anchor of Tech’s linebacker corps.
Another key piece is Lee Hunter, a senior defensive tackle known as “The Fridge.” At 320 pounds, Hunter turned heads this spring by clocking a top speed of 16.5 mph. His combination of power and agility gives Tech a disruptive force on the interior defensive line.
“We’ve got playmakers at every level of the defense,” said defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter. “This group can make life miserable for quarterbacks.”
All Eyes on Arlington
With depth on both sides of the ball, Texas Tech enters 2025 as one of the most complete teams in the Big 12. Coach McGuire’s emphasis on toughness, player development, and culture has transformed the Red Raiders into a team capable of contending for a conference title.
If the Red Raiders can stay healthy and navigate a challenging Big 12 slate, a trip to Arlington for the Big 12 Championship Game could be well within reach.
And if things go just right, Texas Tech might not stop there.
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