Monday Morning Links on VTM | Special Teams Preview; Woods Under the Microscope

1. Special Teams Preview | The LAJ has a article on the return game. I have been meaning to mention that the reason why Jakeem Grant didn't make any first team All-Big 12 team as a returner is because Kansas St.'s Tyler Lockett was 4th in the nation and Tramaine Thompson was first in the nation as returners and both return this year. I only know that because I finished the K-State preview over the weekend. In any event, although Grant and Sadale Foster are the primary options, apparently they are going to audition quite a few players during fall practices:

Though Foster and Grant are the two leading candidates to be return men, Haverty plans to use upcoming August workouts to audition more options. He mentioned several young players — defensive backs Keenon Ward and Dee Paul, receivers D.J. Polite-Bray and Carlos Thompson and running back Quinton White — as possibilities.

As far as the kickers are concerned, Ryan Bustin is most likely your starting kicker while Ryan Erxleben is your starting punter.

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2. Woods Under the Microscope | Also from the LAJ, they take a look as to whether or not Kahlee Woods can get into the mix at weakside linebacker and wants him to stay at the 225 range rather than the 240 range:

"We’ve got to make sure he doesn’t get too big and blow up," Wallerstedt said. "We need him to move in space. He’ll hit. He’s got great instincts. But I’d rather have him in that 225 range and leaner than carrying around 233."

Also, Co-DC Matt Wallerstedt talks about Woods and fellow freshman Malik Jenkins, the freshman linebacker from Ennis who will start at middle linebacker:

"The key in the Big 12 is getting guys that have some girth to them that also can run in space," Wallerstedt said. "Malik Jenkins can play in space. Kahlee Woods is more of a hammer guy, but we’ll see how they both play and how this progresses in August."

3. Stadium Renovation and Video Board Photos | These were from Friday, but Totally Texas Tech has updates from the stadium renovation and video board photos.

4. Three Lady Raiders Named to All-Academic Squad | Congrats to Gionna Jackson, Tiffany Tarver and Ifeatu Okafor who were named to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association 2013 All-Academic Team!

5. Recruiting Round-Up | I found this article in the actual LAJ side of things and not RedRaiders.com, but there is a pretty extensive recruiting round-up if you are into that sort of thing. Updates on Ty Barrett, Mildren Montgomery, L.J. Collier, Marquise Overton and Demetrius Campbell.

6. Sooner Look at the Red Raiders | Blatant Homerism takes a look at Texas Tech.

7. Manziel Is Asked to Leave Austin Frat Party | Burnt Orange Nation had this story first, but SARR added Vine videos with Spiderman and Raider Red making it rain.

More from Viva The Matadors:

• Non-Transcript of Co-DC Mike Smith on Tech Talk
• Monday Morning Links on VTM | Special Teams Preview; Woods Under the Microscope
• Johnny Manziel likes to party. We like to party. We should all party.
• Recruiting on the South Plains | 2014 DB Joseph Clark Commits to Texas Tech
• The Best Story Ever Written About Hacky-Sacks