As the Texas Tech football team embarks on spring practice, fans and observers alike are taking note of the numerous changes to the roster. A whopping 31 players have been assigned new numbers, including 27 newcomers and four returning players who have switched numbers.
The influx of new talent is a result of the Red Raiders’ aggressive recruiting efforts, which have yielded 18 transfers from other NCAA programs and nine freshmen who enrolled in January. This injection of fresh blood is expected to bolster the team’s depth and competitiveness, as they seek to build on last season’s successes.
One of the most notable changes is the switch by wide receiver Coy Eakin to the No. 3 jersey, which he will share with linebacker Bryce Ramirez. This number holds special significance in the Texas Tech program, as it represents the fighting spirit of the late Luke Siegel and is also bestowed upon players who embody the team’s values of toughness, hard work, and competitiveness.
Other notable transfers who have joined the Red Raiders this semester include:
– Skyler Gill-Howard, defensive tackle from Northern Illinois (No. 0)
– Quinten Joyner, running back from Southern California (No. 0)
– Reggie Virgil, wide receiver from Miami (Ohio) (No. 1)
– Lee Hunter, defensive tackle from Central Florida (No. 2)
– Cole Wisniewski, safety from North Dakota State (No. 5)
The complete list of players with new numbers can be found below:
– 0 — Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Northern Illinois
– 0 — Quinten Joyner, RB, Southern California
– 1 — Reggie Virgil, WR, Miami (Ohio)
– 2 — Lee Hunter, DT, Central Florida
– 5 — Cole Wisniewski, S, North Dakota State
– 7 — Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Louisiana-Lafayette
– 9 — Romello Height, DE, Georgia Tech
– 12 — Mitch Griffis, QB, Wake Forest/Marshall
– 19 — Brice Pollock, CB, Mississippi State
– 20 — Dontae Balfour, CB, North Carolina-Charlotte
– 23 — Tarrion Grant, CB, Purdue
– 27 — Upton Bellenfant, K, Buffalo
– 27 — Amier Boyd, CB, Texas-El Paso
– 33 — Anthony Holmes Jr., DT, Houston
– 57 — Hunter Zambrano, OL, Illinois State
– 76 — Will Jados, OT, Miami (Ohio)
– 79 — Howard Sampson, OT, North Carolina
– 80 — Jalen Brattain, TE, Chaminade
– 3 — Coy Eakin, IR, Stephenville
– 4 — T.J. West, WR, Humble
– 11 — Tyson Turner, WR, Bryan
– 13 — Price Morgan, IR,
As the Red Raiders navigate the challenges of spring practice, fans will be keeping a close eye on these new additions and the impact they will have on the team’s fortunes.
