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Who are starters in Texas Tech football safeties shakeup? Some insight - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Texas Tech opened its season against Abilene Christian with two new starting safeties instead of the one the Red Raiders expected, after returning starter Brenden Jordan was ruled out for the first two games for reasons unrelated to injury. Peyton Morgan lined up with the first team at free safety and Malik Esquerra at boundary safety during pre-game warmups at Galaxy Stadium.
Peyton Morgan lined up with the first team at free safety and Malik Esquerra at boundary safety during pre-game warmups at Galaxy Stadium. Those two, along with Oliver Miles III, had spent the entire offseason competing for a single open safety spot. Nobody expected the job to expand into two openings.
Jordan had been the known quantity heading into the season, a returning starter who closed last year on a strong note. His absence flips the equation entirely. Now Morgan and Esquerra have to prove themselves in live game action before Jordan even suits up, which means whatever they do against Abilene Christian becomes the new baseline for how the coaching staff sorts out this position going forward.
For Tech fans who spent the summer following depth chart speculation, this reshapes expectations fast. Two unproven starters in the secondary at the same time is a real test, not a preseason scrimmage situation.
Jordan is eligible to return for game three, which means the Red Raiders could have three players with starting experience at safety before September is over.
Common questions
Why is Brenden Jordan not starting for Texas Tech?
- Brenden Jordan was ruled out for the first two games of the season for reasons unrelated to injury. The Red Raiders had expected him to return as a starter, so his absence unexpectedly opened up two safety spots instead of the one spot already being competed for.
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