Texas Tech All-Time Starting Lineup: Offense

Now that football is in off-season we take a look at some of the best players to wear the scarlet and black. Ground Rules: Jonathan and Ryan alternated picks. Pure opinion. Players could not be current players. 4-wide set.

1st Team:

QB: Graham Harrell (Jonathan)
The quarterback in 2008, led the team on the biggest game winning drive in school history. #Pass2008

Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	AY/A	TD	Int	Rate
*2005	Texas Tech	Big 12	FR	QB	6	37	55	67.3	422	7.7	8.8	3	0	149.7
*2006	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	QB	13	412	617	66.8	4555	7.4	7.8	38	11	145.5
*2007	Texas Tech	Big 12	JR	QB	13	512	713	71.8	5705	8.0	8.5	48	14	157.3
*2008	Texas Tech	Big 12	SR	QB	13	442	626	70.6	5111	8.2	9.0	45	9	160.0
Career	Texas Tech					1403	2011	69.8	15793	7.9	8.4	134	34	154.3

RB: DeAndre Washington (Ryan)
The man who reintroduced Texas Tech to a running game. The dynamic back rushed for over 1400 yards in 2015 and had back to back 1000 yard seasons.

						Rushing				Receiving				Scrimmage
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD
2011	Texas Tech	Big 12	FR	RB	12	77	366	4.8	3	19	109	5.7	0	96	475	4.9	3
*2013	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	RB	12	107	450	4.2	4	34	269	7.9	0	141	719	5.1	4
2014	Texas Tech	Big 12	JR	RB	12	188	1103	5.9	2	30	328	10.9	2	218	1431	6.6	4
2015	Texas Tech	Big 12	SR	RB	13	233	1492	6.4	14	41	385	9.4	2	274	1877	6.9	16
Career	Texas Tech					605	3411	5.6	23	124	1091	8.8	4	729	4502	6.2	27

WR: Michael Crabtree (Jonathan)
Just like Graham, the other half of the biggest drive in 2008. 2-time Biletnikoff, had quite a few records when he left Lubbock after only 2 years with the 10th overall pick to the 49ers.

						Receiving				Rushing				Scrimmage
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD
*2007	Texas Tech	Big 12	FR	WR	13	134	1962	14.6	22					134	1962	14.6	22
*2008	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	WR	13	97	1165	12.0	19	2	1	0.5	0	99	1166	11.8	19
Career	Texas Tech					231	3127	13.5	41	2	1	0.5	0	233	3128	13.4	41

WR: Wes Welker (Ryan)
Shunned by his hometown Sooners, Welker came to Lubbock to play for Mike Leach and went on to set NCAA records as a receiver and punt returner. After a few unimpressive seasons with the Chargers and Dolphins, Welker went to New England and became Tom Brady's favorite target and cemented himself on course for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

						Receiving				Rushing				Scrimmage
Year ▴	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD
*2000	Texas Tech	Big 12	FR	RB	12	26	334	12.8	0	6	72	12.0	1	32	406	12.7	1
*2001	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	WR	11	50	582	11.6	5	15	97	6.5	0	65	679	10.4	5
*2002	Texas Tech	Big 12	JR	WR	14	86	1054	12.3	7	31	244	7.9	0	117	1298	11.1	7
*2003	Texas Tech	Big 12	SR	WR	13	97	1099	11.3	9	27	146	5.4	1	124	1245	10.0	10
Career	Texas Tech					259	3069	11.8	21	79	559	7.1	2	338	3628	10.7	23

WR: Jakeem Grant (Jonathan)
One of the most dynamic players to ever don the scarlet and black. Finished his Tech career with the most receiving yards in school history. Teammates always said he was the strongest player in the room pound for pound.

						Receiving				Rushing				Scrimmage
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD
*2012	Texas Tech	Big 12	FR	WR	13	32	284	8.9	3	8	19	2.4	0	40	303	7.6	3
*2013	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	WR	11	65	796	12.2	7	12	77	6.4	0	77	873	11.3	7
2014	Texas Tech	Big 12	JR	WR	12	67	938	14.0	7	5	35	7.0	0	72	973	13.5	7
2015	Texas Tech	Big 12	SR	WR	13	90	1268	14.1	10	8	68	8.5	2	98	1336	13.6	12
Career	Texas Tech					254	3286	12.9	27	33	199	6.0	2	287	3485	12.1	29

WR: Joel Filani (Ryan)
As time passes, players drift from memory as we are always excited for the next playmaker and current team. Joel Filani gets lost in the shuffle between Welker and Crabtree, but during his time, was perhaps just a dominant.

						Receiving				Rushing				Scrimmage
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD
*2003	Texas Tech	Big 12	FR	WR	13	1	9	9.0	0	2	7	3.5	0	3	16	5.3	0
*2004	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	WR	12	18	310	17.2	2	6	16	2.7	0	24	326	13.6	2
*2005	Texas Tech	Big 12	JR	WR	12	65	1007	15.5	8	6	54	9.0	0	71	1061	14.9	8
*2006	Texas Tech	Big 12	SR	WR	13	91	1300	14.3	13	4	34	8.5	0	95	1334	14.0	13
Career	Texas Tech					175	2626	15.0	23	18	111	6.2	0	193	2737	14.2	23

OL: Louis Vasquez (Jonathan)
Louis was an integral part of the OL that helped Graham succeed so well. In 2007, he didn’t allow a single sack in over 700 passing attempts. He was named Second team all-Big 12 in the famous 2008 season.

OL: Rylan Reed (Ryan)
Rylan was known as the strongest man in college football at one point. His legendary upperbody strength was incredible to witness. A once thought promising career after college was cut short due to injuries. Reed also was a minor league baseball pitcher at one point and no slouch at that. Compiling a 3-0 record with a 2.44 ERA in 2002 and had a fastball clocked at 98 mph. He also survived Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma before getting into football. His bench press of 625lb is still a record at Texas Tech.

OL: LaRaven Clark (Jonathan)
LeRaven started every Tech football game for 4 consecutive years. That kind of consistency and longevity is unheard of in college football. Plus, he knocked Oakman on his ass this past year.

OL: Brandon Carter (Ryan)
The man who embodied every thought about Tech football during 2007-2009. The shaved head, the tatoos, the skeleton face paint and most of all, the mean disposition on the field. At one time weighing in at 6'7 370 was a force along the offensive line. Played a few seasons in the NFL with Tampa Bay and New Orleans before injuries took their toll.

OL: Stephen Hamby (Jonathan)
Stephen was a physical anchor on the 2008 OL, bringing a mean streak, and aggression that the line was known for. He was nasty to play against, and helped give that team an identity.

K: Alex Triica (Ryan)

						Kicking							Punting
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	XPM	XPA	XP%	FGM	FGA	FG%	Pts	Punts	Yds	Avg
*2004	Texas Tech	Big 12	FR	K	12	55	55	100.0	7	13	53.8	76
*2005	Texas Tech	Big 12	SO	K	12	60	60	100.0	13	18	72.2	99
*2006	Texas Tech	Big 12	JR	K	12	51	51	100.0	15	21	71.4	96
*2007	Texas Tech	Big 12	SR	K	13	67	67	100.0	13	21	61.9	106
Career	Texas Tech					233	233	100.0	48	73	65.8	377

P: Alex Reyes (Jonathan)

On a team where punting wasn’t as important or prevalent as others, Alex was consistent and deep on his punts. He averaged in the mid-40’s all 4 years, although he only averaged a few punts per game.

2nd Team:

QB: Kliff Kingsbury (Ryan)
The man who started it all it seemed. Though not the first gunslinger to come through the South Plains, he's probably the most famous. He was the quarterback who held all the records and who every QB at Tech was compared to. Until Harrell. But coming back to be the Head Coach of your alma mater only a decade after you graduated doesn't hurt.

RB: Taurean Henderson (Jonathan)
Taurean is still considered one of our best receiving running backs, having set multiple records while at Tech, including receptions by a freshman in all of the NCAA. In a time when Tech wasn’t running the ball much, Taurean was always involved in the game plan.

WR: Bradley Marquez (Ryan)
Bradley turned down his professional baseball career with the Mets to play football for Texas Tech. During his time at Tech he was a force on the outside and only one year removed from his senior year, his absence is sorely felt.

WR: Danny Amendola (Jonathan)
After Welker, Danny was the next in the line of small and shifty receivers that saw plentiful success in Lubbock. As a freshman he was named 1st team Big 12 for punt returns. In 2005, he was involved in a tip play that OU fans still seem to bring up, even 10 years later.

WR: Eric Ward (Ryan)
Eric Ward burst on the scene in 2011 as a Sophmore, but didn't really get going until his Junior and Senior year efforts. Totaling over 2800 yards receiving for his career, averaged 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012 and 2013.

WR: Jarrett Hicks (Jonathan)
As a freshman at Tech in 2004, Hicks was my favorite receiver. He led the team with almost 1200 yards and had 13 touchdowns, good for 1st in the conference in both categories.

OL: Manny Ramirez (Ryan)

OL: LaAdrian Waddle (Jonathan)
Waddle’s first career start was against Von Miller, so no pressure. In 2010 he was named 2nd team All-Big 12 Academic and All-Big 12 honorable mention. In 2001 he was named 2nd team All-Big 12, and made 1st team in 2012

OL: Marlon Winn (Ryan)
Always overlooked, but arguably, not a bigger component to the offensive line than Winn. Anchoring the RT stop helped Harrell, Crabtree and the rest of the offense put up ridiculous numbers while keeping Harrell upright.

OL: Glenn January (Jonathan)
After starting his career mostly on special teams, he played in all games in 2004 and 2005. His ability in run-blocking helped Tech have an actual rushing attack in 2005.

OL: Lonnie Edwards (Ryan)
Lonnie was part of a fairly decent offensive line during the transition from the Leach to Tuberville era. Earning 2nd Team All-Big 12 in 2011 and honorable mention in 2012.

K: Matt Williams (Jonathan)
Matt wasn’t only a great kicker when the team needed one, he was a folk hero. From a student in the stands winning a competition to a full-time kicker

P: Ryan Erxleben (Ryan)
Arguably the most storied punter at Texas Tech outside of Donny Anderson. Never a doubt when he was called upon to punt and averaged 42 yards per punt for his career. Also had the famed fake punt for a TD in 2013 against Texas.

Honorable Mention:

QB: BJ Symons (Jonathan)
It’s unfortunate the NCAA leader for passing yards in a season didn’t get 1st or 2nd team mention. But, what BJ did in 2003, most of which was done on an ACL injury, is nothing short of spectacular.

RB: Bam Morris (Ryan)
Doak Walker Award winner for best running back in the country. Why isn't he higher? Because Jonathan and I are idiots. haha

WR: Jace Amaro (Jonathan)
Amaro was a great TE for tech, giving young QB Davis Webb a great target with strong hands. Jace was in the running for both the Biletnikoff and the Mackey in 2013. He set multiple records for receiving as a TE, both at Tech, and nationally.

WR: Mickey Peters (Ryan)
Jace Amaro, before Jace Amaro. Mickey played basically the TE slot, and absolutely tore it up in 2002 and 2003. Averaging 12.5 YPC in 2003 and 12 TDs. Both more than Amaro in 2013.

WR: Detron Lewis (Jonathan)
Detron started out his career at Tech with a bang with a TD on his first 2 collegiate receptions against Northwestern State. In 2008 he was second on the team behind some guy named Crabtree, and left Tech 3rd on the list in career receptions.

WR: Carlos Francis (Ryan)
Hard to be on the same field as Welker, Henderson and Peters and not be forgotten. Francis did his best by posting over 3000 yards receiving for his career and 21 TDs.

OL: EJ Whitley (Jonathan)
EJ was one of the most dynamic linemen to ever play at Tech, having played all 5 positions on the line. In 2005 he had 44 career starts to his credit, and was a leader on and off the field, as Tech led the nation in passing offense for 4 straight seasons.

OL: Daniel Looper (Ryan)
Mainly played in 2002 and 2003, to modest awards and acclaim. However he was drafted in the 5th round and went on to play 6 years with the Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

OL: Rashad Fortenberry (Jonathan)
Reshod had limited involvement in 2012, as Tech had over 1,600 yards of rushing by the running backs, the most for Tech since 1998. In 2013 he started all 13 games, and shut down Arizona St in the bowl game with no sacks allowed even though they had 40 for the year and paved the way for DeAndre Washington to become Tech’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 1998.

OL: Dylan Gandy (Ryan)
A one time staple of the offensive line for Kingsbury, Symons and Cumbie, went on to play 9 seasons in the NFL with a variety of teams including Peyton Mannings Colts.

OL: Jared Kaster (Jonathan)
Although Kaster has gotten a lot of negativity from fans, he has started at center every game the past 3 seasons. With a team that has so many snaps, having a steady center, especially for a young quarterback, is essential.

K: Ryan Bustin (Ryan)
Aside from his anxiety causing knuckle-kicks, Bustin was the one of the most accurate kickers in recent Tech history and arguably better than Trilica and Williams.

P: Taylor Symmank (Jonathan)
In 2014 Taylor was a Ray Guy award finalist, with 8 punts going over 50 yards, including a 61 yarder against Iowa State. His strong leg also helped him win the job as kickoff specialist. This season, his absence was noticed, as the punting was rather weak while he was injured and unable to play.

Ok, so let it begin. Where did we get it right? Where did we completely miss? Tell us in the comments and let the debate begin.

Defense coming soon.

Oh and take a look at that 1st team and tell us we wouldn't have crushed LSU this year? haha