Joey McGuire prefers to build the Texas Tech football team from the ground up rather than relying on the transfer portal.
But McGuire isn’t afraid to reach into the portal and see what’s available, and transfers will be a big factor for the Red Raiders this year, especially on offense with Tech looking to replace much of last year’s receiver corps and offensive line.
Which of these new faces could have the biggest impact on the Red Raiders’ chances of winning in the 2024 season?
Young Guns:How much of an impact will Texas Tech football freshman Micah Hudson make in 2024?
Josh Kelley, Sr., WR, 6’1″, 195 lbs. (Washington State University)
With the departures of Jerand Bradley and Myles Price, the Red Raiders needed a dynamic veteran receiver to pair with freshman Micah Hudson. They added a big-name player in Josh Kelly, who had career-best numbers last season at Washington State with 61 catches for 923 yards and eight touchdowns. In this scenario, the demise of the Pac-12 was a gain for Texas Tech.
Jalynn Conyers, Sr., TE, 6’4, 215 lbs. (Arizona State)
The Gruber native returned to West Texas for his final collegiate season after spending three years in Tempe and one year at Oklahoma. Conyers missed spring practice after breaking his foot during winter training, but his addition adds veteran depth to the tight end position. He caught 74 passes for 846 yards and six touchdowns in his collegiate career.
Davion Carter, Sr., OL, 6’2″, 285 lbs. (Memphis)
The addition of Carter gives the Red Raiders some intriguing options to fill out the offensive line. Carter played right guard at Memphis and allowed just one sack opportunity in 1,000 during his two years with the Tigers. He is expected to compete with Sheridan Wilson and Caleb Rodgers for the center spot depending on how the summer unfolds, but he could also move back to guard.
Vinnie Scully, Sr., OL, 6-foot-3, 305 pounds (Toledo)
While Carter’s position has come into question, Sciulli is all but locked in at left guard. He started 33 straight games at Toledo and was considered one of the best interior linemen in the country, earning first-team all-conference selection last season.
Cameran Brown, sophomore, QB, 6’2″, 230 lbs (West Georgia)
While it’s risky to put a backup quarterback candidate on the list, McGuire expects Brown, a Division II transfer, to make some impact for the Red Raiders this season. Brown quickly established himself as the No. 2 player behind Beren Morton in the spring thanks to his playmaking and running ability. Plus, Texas Tech isn’t in great shape at quarterback health, so adding Brown to the team makes sense.
