Tracy Saul to Enter Southwest Conference Hall of Fame. Congrats to former Red Raider footballer Tracy Saul who is set to enter the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame. Saul was named as an All-Southwest Conference selection all four years that he played:

One of the greatest defensive backs in Texas Tech history, Saul was an All-Southwest Conference selection in all four of his seasons as a Red Raider from 1989-92. He was named to the team as a punt returner his first two seasons and then as a defensive back following his junior and senior seasons.

In the 81-year history of the Southwest Conference, Saul was one of only four players to garner All-SWC honors over four-consecutive seasons. He also earned second team All-America honors following his 1991 junior season.

Special Teams Preview.

Offensive Progress. RedRaiderSports’ Will McKay writes that Texas Tech is pleased with the offensive progress thus far, in particular offensive coordinator Eric Morris:

“It’s been good. We’ve put an emphasis on it like we always have, and they know that’s a fact. If we don’t turn the ball over, and we’re top 10 nationally in turnover margin, we know we’re going to win a lot more football games. We’ve shown them the facts, and they know what’s going on. We keep chart of it. One thing that’s different is that Coach Gibbs emphasizes it so much, and these guys rip at the football better than anyone I’ve seen, so they’re coaching it as hard as we’re coaching it, and they’ve gotten some balls out. I think the quarterbacks, they’ve done a good job protecting the ball as far as interceptions, but we’ve put the ball on the ground a couple of times fumble-wise.”

There are notes about how the freshmen are pushing the seniors and there really isn’t a position that’s safe. That’s one thing that I think we are finally seeing how competition makes everyone better. Quan Shorts is at the H pushing Grant and Batson, KeKe Coutee is pushing at the Z, Reginald Davis and Dylan Cantrell and Donta Thompson is playing well. Make sure and check out the link.

Notebook: Nunez Receives Scholarship. LAJ’s Don Williams with a notebook that starts off with some great news as sophomore defensive end Talor Nunez will be on scholarship:

“You put in so many hours and so much work and time to give your absolute best,” he said, “because my dad’s paying for my school and it’s been a stress for him and a struggle.

“I’m about to call him and tell him, ‘You don’t have to pay for my school anymore. It’s taken care of.’”

/ feelings /

• Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury singled out WR Dylan Cantrell and DT Rika Levi as being the camp standouts thus far.
• A second team of offensive linemen are starting to come together with Madison Akamnonu at left tackle, Emeka Okafor at left guard, Tony Morales at center, Robert Castaneda at right guard and Terence Steele at right tackle. Steele has been the camp surprise on the offensive line.
• The team will have a scrimmage on Saturday.

Who Will It Be At Strongside? LAJ’s Don Williams writes about Malik Jenkins and Sam Atoe vying for the strongside linebacker spot, which we asked you to discuss yesterday. Here’s Sam Atoe talking about the competition and how they are cross-training at all three linebacker positions:

“Right now, coach Spav is focusing on me and (Jenkins) trying to learn multiple positions,” Atoe said. “That way, it would be more opportunities for us.

“As far as competition, we’re just trying to make each other better. If he’s the guy, I’m going to support him and vice versa, but we’re just focusing on getting the plays down and correcting everything we get wrong.”

A Good Time Was Had By All. RaiderPower’s Alyssa Chrisope writes that Notre Dame linebacker transfer Kolin Hill had a good time and enjoyed his visit to Texas Tech and Lubbock:

“I felt really welcomed by them. I’ve known coach Smith and coach Jinks since high school it was like a homecoming to see them. And coach Gibbs it was my first time meeting him, but he welcomed me wholeheartedly, so I felt very welcome,” Hill said.

There’s more there, so make sure and check it out.

Miscellaneous. LAJ’s Don Williams continues his all-Texas Tech team and picks a cornerback spot with Elmer Tarbox taking the first spot, then Joselio Hanson and then Marc Dove . . .