I didn't see this posted anywhere. From the Houston Chronicle
http://a.msn.com/02/en-us/AANqz00?ocid=sf
https://twitter.com/share?url=http:...rer=http://a.msn.com/02/en-us/AANqz00?ocid=st
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...-cutting-him/ar-AANqHxH?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531
During local media day for the Texas Tech football team earlier this month, three current Red Raiders were asked the same question.
© Nathan Giese/Plainview Herald
If they were to star in a buddy-cop movie, which teammate would they choose as their partner and why?
Senior Travis Koontz picked fellow tight end Jason Lloyd, citing his teammate’s adventurous nature. Offensive lineman Josh Burger tapped T.J. Storment due to his intelligence, quick wit and ability to negotiate.
Both Koontz and Burger needed a moment to consider the question before answering. Erik Ezukanma needed no time at all. He knew his answer.
When the question was posed to Ezukanma, a big smile came across the 6-foot-3 receiver’s face. He instantly pointed to the Red Raider to his right and said, “That guy right there.”
The guy right there was quarterback Tyler Shough, the Oregon transfer brought in to compete for the starting job. Despite head coach Matt Wells’ insistence that there remains a quarterback battle, he and Shough’s teammates have continued to sing the new guys’ praises.
“He’s a guy that you can count on,” Ezukanma said of Shough. “He got here in spring and he’s already showed a lot of leadership early on.”
Wells and new offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie said that when Shough was brought to Texas Tech, he wasn’t guaranteed the starting spot. However, he has the credentials, and the arm, to make Cumbie’s new offense work.
Shough was the top-ranked recruit out of the state of Arizona, a four-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. He wound up with the Ducks, playing behind first round NFL draft choice Justin Herbert in 2019 before assuming the starting role in 2020.
Because of the Pac-12’s scheduling, Shough got just seven starts in 2020. In those games, he tossed for 1,703 yards, 16 touchdowns and threw six interceptions. Numbers that don’t jump off the page, but the attitude he’s brought to Lubbock has already caught the attention of teammates.
Wells said during local media day that Shough has done and said everything right since joining the Red Raiders. Players and coaches, for the most part, have been diplomatic about the perceived quarterback battle. Still, it would be surprising if somebody other than Shough is the one taking snaps on Sept. 3 against Houston.
Cumbie’s new offensive system was also a topic of conversation among players. Ezukanma said he was excited to not only learn new plays, but also getting the opportunity to play new positions.
“It’s fun to be able to run different positions and being able to go inside and play a position where Dalton (Rigdon) and Myles Price, they play all the time and being able to play that position, it’s kind of like, wow, it’s kind of different here but I like it,” said Ezukanma.
Burger noted that for the offensive line, there isn’t a ton of difference between Cumbie’s system and the one run by former OC David Yost. The biggest change is the assignments.
“The scheme changed, but from a technical standpoint it’s similar,” said Burger.
Koontz joined Ezukanma’s excitement for the change in offensive philosophy, especially for one that involves the tight ends a bit more.
“We’re just more involved, different formations,” said Koontz. “It’s not just set in stone, like this play, this play, this play. We’re just more diverse, let’s put it that way.”
Ezukanma said that more offensive players will get involved this season. The question right now is who will be the quarterback to orchestrate the new offense and live up to what the wide receiver feels like could be a really good team?
“We have all the pieces to be really good,” said Ezukanma. “We just have to show it.”
New offense winning over Texas Tech players
Nathan Giese, Sports Editor 3 hrs agohttp://a.msn.com/02/en-us/AANqz00?ocid=sf
https://twitter.com/share?url=http:...rer=http://a.msn.com/02/en-us/AANqz00?ocid=st
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...-cutting-him/ar-AANqHxH?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531
During local media day for the Texas Tech football team earlier this month, three current Red Raiders were asked the same question.
If they were to star in a buddy-cop movie, which teammate would they choose as their partner and why?
Senior Travis Koontz picked fellow tight end Jason Lloyd, citing his teammate’s adventurous nature. Offensive lineman Josh Burger tapped T.J. Storment due to his intelligence, quick wit and ability to negotiate.
Both Koontz and Burger needed a moment to consider the question before answering. Erik Ezukanma needed no time at all. He knew his answer.
When the question was posed to Ezukanma, a big smile came across the 6-foot-3 receiver’s face. He instantly pointed to the Red Raider to his right and said, “That guy right there.”
The guy right there was quarterback Tyler Shough, the Oregon transfer brought in to compete for the starting job. Despite head coach Matt Wells’ insistence that there remains a quarterback battle, he and Shough’s teammates have continued to sing the new guys’ praises.
“He’s a guy that you can count on,” Ezukanma said of Shough. “He got here in spring and he’s already showed a lot of leadership early on.”
Wells and new offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie said that when Shough was brought to Texas Tech, he wasn’t guaranteed the starting spot. However, he has the credentials, and the arm, to make Cumbie’s new offense work.
Shough was the top-ranked recruit out of the state of Arizona, a four-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. He wound up with the Ducks, playing behind first round NFL draft choice Justin Herbert in 2019 before assuming the starting role in 2020.
Because of the Pac-12’s scheduling, Shough got just seven starts in 2020. In those games, he tossed for 1,703 yards, 16 touchdowns and threw six interceptions. Numbers that don’t jump off the page, but the attitude he’s brought to Lubbock has already caught the attention of teammates.
Wells said during local media day that Shough has done and said everything right since joining the Red Raiders. Players and coaches, for the most part, have been diplomatic about the perceived quarterback battle. Still, it would be surprising if somebody other than Shough is the one taking snaps on Sept. 3 against Houston.
Cumbie’s new offensive system was also a topic of conversation among players. Ezukanma said he was excited to not only learn new plays, but also getting the opportunity to play new positions.
“It’s fun to be able to run different positions and being able to go inside and play a position where Dalton (Rigdon) and Myles Price, they play all the time and being able to play that position, it’s kind of like, wow, it’s kind of different here but I like it,” said Ezukanma.
Burger noted that for the offensive line, there isn’t a ton of difference between Cumbie’s system and the one run by former OC David Yost. The biggest change is the assignments.
“The scheme changed, but from a technical standpoint it’s similar,” said Burger.
Koontz joined Ezukanma’s excitement for the change in offensive philosophy, especially for one that involves the tight ends a bit more.
“We’re just more involved, different formations,” said Koontz. “It’s not just set in stone, like this play, this play, this play. We’re just more diverse, let’s put it that way.”
Ezukanma said that more offensive players will get involved this season. The question right now is who will be the quarterback to orchestrate the new offense and live up to what the wide receiver feels like could be a really good team?
“We have all the pieces to be really good,” said Ezukanma. “We just have to show it.”
