The Texas Tech Red Raiders may not have finished Matt Wells’ first season on a high note, but look to take the next step in 2020. Tech finished 4-8, including a 2-7 Big 12 mark, and lost six of its last seven games. Because of COVID-19, the Red Raiders’ lone non-conference game comes Sept. 5 at UTEP. Wins at West Virginia on Oct. 3 and against Kansas on Nov. 14, two other programs under second-year head coaches, could vault Tech into a bowl game.
Here are five former Texas High School Football stars that look to help big years in Lubbock.
Jack Anderson, junior offensive lineman, Frisco
Anderson was named to the preseason all-conference team and was on his way to a big year before a shoulder injury sidelined him after only three games. The former Frisco High standout has played in 28 games in his collegiate career, is slotted to start at right guard and hopes to help a Red Raider offense that averaged 30.5 points per game and throw for 324 yards per game. Anderson helped Frisco to an 8-3 record an a playoff appearance as a senior and was an all-district first team selection.
Alan Bowman, sophomore quarterback, Grapevine
Like Anderson, Bowman played in only three games before sustaining a season-ending injury in 2019.Bowman completed 101 of 154 pass attempts for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns and averaged 4.7 yards per rush last season. While at Grapevine, Bowman threw for 11,393 yards and 119 touchdowns and was named the District 8-5A MVP during his junior and senior seasons.
Eli Howard, senior defensive lineman, San Antonio Central
Howard will be looked upon to provide the first line of defense in the pass-happy Big 12. He has 30 career starts under his belt and posed 21 tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks in 2019. Howard was the District 3-6A Defensive MVP as a senior after finishing with 61 tackles and 11 tackles for loss for Central.
Riko Jeffers, senior linebacker, Sachse
Jeffers looks to have one last big season for the Red Raiders and was one of the defensive leaders in 2019. He finished second on the team with 76 tackles, including 53 solo stops, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. Jeffers was the unanimous District 10-6A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Sachse after posting 141 tackles and helping the team win the district title and go 11-1 on the season.
Sarodorick Thompson, sophomore running back, Irving Ranchview
Thompson had a strong debut as a Red Raider playing in 12 games and making seven starts. The former Ranchview star rushed for 765 yards on 160 carries and scored 12 touchdowns while catching 39 passes for 154 yards. Thompson was the District 6-4A Offensive MVP as a junior and the Co-Offensive MVP as a senior during his time at Ranchview. He amassed more than 3,000 rushing yards in high school.
