Texas Tech’s final opponent on the 2024 schedule is the Mountaineers and not a whole lot has changed for West Virginia since Tech’s trip up to Morgantown last September, so let’s jump into it.
Familiar Face at Quarterback
Tech will likely get another look at Garrett Greene, the solid quarterback who provides a severe running threat and will do again. Greene is really strong passer over the middle and looks to take another step this season.
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Green was stronger than expected last season with a 2,400-yard passing season with 16 touchdowns to four interceptions while trailing the team lead in rushing yards by just 70-yards while finding the endzone 13 times on the ground.
Offensive Skill
West Virginia returns both of the lead running backs from last year in CJ Donaldson Jr. and Jahiem White who have a strong dynamic playing off one another.
Donaldson Jr. is the more physical of the two backs and gets the short area carries, finding the endzone 11 times and running for 795 yards last season, running behind some strong pad level and with good foot speed.
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White is a really solid receiving threat with some really solid breakaway speed and a really strong back in tandem with Donaldson Jr.
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WVU tight end Kole Taylor might be my favorite pass catcher on the team with really strong ability as a route runner, in the YAC phase and at the catch point, reeling in 35 catches for 441 yards and four touchdowns last season.
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The wide receiver room has many questions, in my opinion.
Oklahoma State transfer Jaden Bray is the main addition to this room after posting 382 yards on 30 receptions last season from outside alignments for the Big 12 runner up while the rest of the room returns with a need to improve.
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Hudson Clement, Preston Fox and Traylon Ray are all looking to continue to build on their solid seasons, all of similar production to Bray at Oklahoma State.
Offensive Line
This group loses a lot of what made them really strong last season in now Steelers center Zach Frazier who was selected in the late second round of the draft this fall.
However, I’m extremely impressed with left tackle Wyatt Milum who was strong last season but will have the chance to be even better as the leader in the room. Milum is a very strong run and pass blocker with really good set quickness and drive in the run game.
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Tomas Rimac is a really strong option at left guard as well while the right side sees returners in Ja’Quay Hubbard and Nick Malone while a pair of inexperienced centers will battle out with Brandon Yates likely taking the job.
Defense
The secondary will be the calling card for this group, led by nickel/safety Aubrey Burks, who will be one of the leaders for this team. Anthony Wilson Jr. and Josiah Jackson are back in the backend as well.
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Northwestern transfer corner Garnett Hollis Jr. and Duquesne transfer corner Ayden Garnes will be the starters with some really nice tape at their previous stops. WVY added four other transfers in the secondary and should possess a ton of depth this season.
The linebacker room is a bit concerning with Ben Cutter, Trey Lathan and Tyrin Bradley Jr.’s combined 55 tackles being the lone returning production for the Mountaineers while Fresno State transfer Ty French will help with their “SPUR” position.
Troy transfer TJ Jackson is a nice piece off the edge but wasn’t super productive last season with five sacks but only nine hurries, who will line up on the other side of Sean Martin who posted 19 hurries with the Mountaineers last season.
Overall, this is another good team and is anything but a guaranteed win on senior night for the Red Raiders, but ultimately who knows how this roster looks in November.
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