Joey McGuire doesn't like to use freshmen too often on the Texas Tech football team.
The Red Raiders head coach said he wants to keep all of his freshman players within the four-game redshirt period, though that could change throughout the season.
Three defensive backs — Brenden Jordan, Jordan Sanford and Chapman Lewis — all saw significant playing time as 2023 freshmen, appearing in a combined 36 games last season.
Are there any freshmen on the 2024 roster who could potentially get similar playing time? Here are a few players to keep an eye on.
Receiver Micah Hudson
Surprisingly, the first name on this list is a five-star recruit out of Temple Lake Belton. Micah Hudson's addition generated a lot of buzz, but the 6-foot receiver didn't perform well in the spring after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a left knee injury dating back to his high school days.
Either way, Hudson is expected to be a big presence on the field for the Red Raiders despite being a freshman. Offensive coordinator Zach Kitley said this spring that the staff was trying to figure out a way to incorporate Hudson into the offense, either from the outside receiver or inside receiver positions. Hudson was expected to be ready in time for summer workouts.
“You won't hear me say we're going to redshirt Micah Hudson,” McGuire said on Signing Day. “I think from Day 1, when he gets here, he's going to be a presence on this football team.”
What that will look like remains to be seen, but it will likely remain a secret until he plays his first game as a Red Lazer.
Cameron Dickey, running back
Taj Brooks was the centerpiece of this year's Texas Tech team. After finishing fourth in the nation in rushing, Brooks announced his return to the Red Raiders in December.
The question is who will back him up and get the few carries he will have. Veteran forward Kamron Valdez returns after negotiating the transfer portal, while redshirt freshman Anquan Willis and Bryson Donnell opted to head elsewhere through the transfer portal.
Maguire attributed their departures to the emergence of Cameron Dickey this spring.
“He knows the football,” Maguire told the Avalanche Journal this spring, “and it's always dramatic when you see him play against other guys.”
McGuire also said he would like to keep Dickey on redshirt status so Brooks and Valdes can stay healthy for the season, but Dickey is a player to watch in the backfield.
Related:Will Texas Tech football's Cameron Dickey redshirt in '24? Joey Maguire gives his opinion
Will Hammond, quarterback
Why is a true freshman who could potentially be the No. 4 player on this season's roster on the list? Texas Tech history.
The Red Raiders have started three different quarterbacks each of the past three years, meaning every one on the roster has to be ready to play at any time.
Hammond has a chance to beat out Jake Strong for the No. 3 spot, but Beren Morton and Cameran Brown seem all but guaranteed the starter and backup spots. Hammond not being able to redshirt would be the biggest disaster for McGwire and his staff, but it can't be ignored.
Related:Jake Strong and Will Hammond are Texas Tech's No. 3 QBs? Joey Maguire explains
Malik Ezquerra, defensive back
The majority of true freshmen who didn't take redshirts last year are from the secondary, so it makes sense that position group will offer another opportunity.
Our own Don Williams listed Ezquerra third on the perimeter safety depth chart after the end of spring practice, behind C.J. Baskerville and Javeon Wilcox.
Esquerra's speed is Maguire's biggest selling point — he won gold in the 110-meter hurdles at the Class 5A state meet and took third in the 300-meter hurdles — and his skill set on both defense and special teams could see him earn more playing time.
