The Texas Tech football team ended the season Saturday with a 34-14 victory over California, but the whirlwind of activity continues non-stop.
Welcome back running back Cam’Ron Valdez. Say goodbye to offensive guard Jacoby Jackson, linebacker Jesiah Pierre, tight end Alex Lines and defensive tackle Danny Saili.
If you’re fuzzy on the latter two, Saili is a 6-foot-2, 355-pound defensive tackle from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College who committed to Tech four weeks ago and switched his pledge to Brigham Young on Monday. Lines is a 6-5, 255-pound tight end from Garden City (Kan.) Community College who committed to Tech two weeks ago and decommitted on Monday.
Valdez, the Red Raiders’ top backup at running back, announced Monday he’s withdrawing his name from the NCAA transfer portal. In 10 games this year, carrying 52 times for 285 yards and a touchdown.
Valdez announced on Dec. 9 he was testing the portal waters. He stayed with the team and played in the Independence Bowl.
“I realized what it means to be a Red Raider and I’ve decided I don’t want to leave that behind,” Valdez wrote on social media. “I remain committed to being a Red Raider and look forward to contributing to its success.”
The 5-9, 205-pound sophomore from Rockdale has two seasons of eligibility remaining. His playing time has been limited behind Doak Walker Award semifinalist Tahj Brooks and SaRodorick Thompson.
Brooks is the FBS’s third-leading rusher with 1,542 yards. Brooks’ 289 carries are the most at any level of college football this year, be it NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA.
Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported Monday that Pierre is having his name entered into the portal. Pierre was the Red Raiders’ fourth-leading tackler this season with 66 stops and started 20 games over the past two years, but his playing time diminished over the course of the season.
