Multiple Texas Tech Red Raiders Join Prominent Award Watch Lists
Texas Tech football was completely iced out of the preseason awards and All-Big 12 teams, but that doesn't mean they don't have some talent showing up on the watch lists for some major awards.
While Watch List SZN, as Texas Tech calls it, has only just begun, that doesn't mean players won't join the watch list after a couple of big weeks in the regular season. Myles Price could certainly join the Biletnikoff radar or the Jim Thorpe watch list could add Reggie Pearson or Dadrion Taylor-Demerson.
If Tyree Wilson is who I think he is, the Chuck Bednarik Award could be sniffing around come week five or six.
That being said, there are already several players on the roster that have joined the watch lists and are being eyed to have big seasons.
The first Red Raider to get some recognition was Texas A&M transfer tight end Baylor Cupp. It's his first season with the Red Raiders, but the highly anticipated tight end is already catching buzz as one of the best in the country. Cupp was highly regarded as a prospect coming out of high school before dealing with injuries at Texas A&M so hopefully, a change of scenery and a better program will get him on the right track.
Up next is another transfer who saw a lot of success at his previous stop at Western Kentucky. Cole Spencer reunites with his offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and will have a leg up on the expectantly improved offensive line. Sliding inside to a guard position will allow Spencer to make calls for the Red Raiders and control the line of scrimmage. The center generally makes the calls in the Kittley offense, but I'd assume someone with experience like Spencer is invaluable.
Spencer also has the pedigree of starting a ton of games and earning All-Conference USA First team last season. He's also a super-senior with a ton of experience.
Finally, is the punter from the Arizona desert, Austin McNamara. Quite honestly the best and most consistent player of the Matt Wells era continues his quest for an NFL contract with his fourth season in Lubbock. He was robbed of an All-Conference award in the preseason, but he's got plenty of skins on the wall already. As a freshman, he was a Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 first team. In year two he got the All-Big 12 first team again. Was on the second-team All-Big 12 last year, but set the program and Big 12 record averaging 48.2 yards per punt.
He's the best punter in the country.