When Texas Tech hired Sonny Cumbie as offensive coordinator three months ago, Matt Wells gave the former Red Raiders quarterback the marching order "to rebuild our offensive identity and our brand."
Wells laid out a vision for an offense that would be wide-open and challenge defenses with a downfield passing game. He said the Red Raiders would use multiple personnel groups— a departure from David Yost's devotion to a one-running back/one-tight end formation — vary tempos and, at the same time they're stretching defenses, maintain run-pass balance.
All stuff that sounds good in a press conference trying to win over, and win back, fans.
Many of the details are still being hammered out. The first seven sessions of spring practice have featured a lot of installation with new components added each workout.
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"Once we continue to evaluate who we're going to do it with, we start creating game plans and directions on offense and exactly what we're going to do around those guys," Wells said Wednesday. "I mean, 12 personnel, 10 personnel.Are we a gap team? Are we an inside zone team? Are we a stretch team? Are we an RPO team? All that stuff.
"We've got a lot of offense in right now, and I think our guys have handled it well, especially our receivers and running backs. I think they've done a really nice job of handling this transition."
The Red Raiders have their first scrimmage of spring practice — closed to the public and media— on Friday night. That'll be the first session of spring ball in which Cumbie has not added something new.
"We'll be able to step back on offense and hopefullyget good at something," Wells said.
The Red Raiders plan to scrimmage for a little more than 100 plays. This week is the midpoint of spring ball. Wednesday's workout was the eighth of Tech's allotted 15.
QBs check
Tech is down to six quarterbacks, five on scholarship, after Brylon Lawson-Young this week announced plans to transfer. The Monterey graduate joined his hometown teamlast summer as a walk-on from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College.
The scholarship quarterbacks fighting for the starting and top backup jobs are Henry Colombi, who started four games in 2020,transfer Tyler Shough, who started all seven of Oregon's games last year,and three players who have yet to play in a college game:2019 signee Maverick McIvor, 2020 signee Donovan Smith and 2021 signee Behren Morton.
"Tyler threw some nice balls and completed a couple of really long passes today," Wells said. "I thought Behren was sharp, had maybe one of his better practices. Henry continues to be pretty consistent.
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"Maverick's had his moments at times, needs to have more of them. Today was probably not one of Donovan's better days, but I thought Donovan had a really good day last Saturday and he had a good day (Tuesday) morning."
Shough and Colombi have the advantage of having started games in college. Even with a new offensive coordinator, Wells said, that makes processing offensive intricacies easier.
"They've been in some similar stuff, and Behren and Donovan are still kind of learning it," Wells said. "But I tell ya, I've got a smile on my face, because those two young guys are really talented and I think they've got a very bright future and there is good competition."
Thompson sidelined
SaRodorick Thompson was held out of Wednesday's practice as a precaution, Wells said, because of a shoulder injury. Medical personnel are still evaluating the extent of the injury.
Xavier White, coming back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the off-season, has progressed to participating in individual drills, but remains limited.
Thompson and White were the team's top two running backs last season with 610 and 436 yards rushing, respectively.
Pierre out
Linebacker Jesiah Pierre, who transferred from Florida to Tech in January, is out for the spring with a foot injury he suffered early on. As team needs go, linebacker help might be at the bottom of the list with the Red Raiders returning all their starters and top backups at those spots.
March and April workouts would have been a good time for Pierre to learn, but he will wind up missing virtually the entire spring.
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"I don't see anything long term," Wells said. "He's on a scooter, so it's non-weight bearing. We're just protecting it. He'll be full go in June."
Pierre, listed at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, spent two football seasons at Florida and, because of the NCAA not charging players a year of eligibility for 2020, has four seasons left for Tech.
Adams joins staff
Former Tech guard and tackleZach Adams, who was a senior in 2020, is on the coaching staff this spring as a student assistant working with the offensive line.
Another 2020 Tech senior, tight end Connor Killian, also is a student assistant with the offense.
