Corners carousel: Williams to return in '23, Minor to transfer
In his first year as Texas Tech defensive coordinator, Tim DeRuyter had the benefit of length and production at cornerback. Next season at that position, it appears he will roll out length, production and experience while he works to develop depth.
Starting cornerback Rayshad Williams has indicated he will stay with the Red Raiders in 2023 for his Covid-bonus year. DeRuyter broke the news of Williams' return on Monday, hours after backup cornerback Kobee Minor announced plans to have his name entered into the NCAA transfer portal.
Seven of Tech's defensive starters this season are seniors with the option for the extra year. Williams would be the fifth to opt in. Defensive tackles Tony Bradford and Jaylon Hutchings, cornerback Malik Dunlap and safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson already have said publicly they plan to do so.
"Really excited," DeRuyter said of the returning cast. "We know how good of players they are on the field, but I think more importantly, those guys are the heart and soul of our program and our defense. They're the guys that have bought in since day one. They're guys who work extremely hard. They set the standard.
"And so what's great is having those older guys have the success they've had, come back with that same work ethic and those young guys can see, 'This is how Red Raiders work to play the defense we want to play.' "
From that group of seven, only defensive end Tyree Wilson and safety Reggie Pearson won't be back. Wilson has declared for the NFL draft, and Pearson graduated from Tech last weekend and announced plans to leave the program as a graduate transfer.
The Red Raiders used four cornerbacks this season, Williams and Dunlap being the starters and Adrian Frye and Minor being the top backups. Frye will be out of eligibility after Tech's Texas Bowl date with Mississippi.
DeRuyter liked to challenge opposing outside receivers this season with Williams and Dunlap both listed at 6-foot-3. Dunlap is tied for second in the Big 12 with 11 pass breakups, Williams has seven pass breakups and each has one interception.
With both starters returning, Minor decided to look elsewhere for more playing time. The third-year sophomore from Lake Dallas announced Monday he's having his name entered into the NCAA transfer portal. Minor was credited with 12 tackles and two pass breakups this season, playing in all 12 games.
"It was, I think, a difficult decision for him," DeRuyter said. "I think part of it was our two starters coming back. He's looking for an opportunity to play football, and we understand that. We'd like for him to stay, but everyone, in the days of the transfer portal, have the option to make the best opportunity for themselves.
"Obviously, in consultation with his family, he thought that going somewhere else may give him a better opportunity and, just like Reggie, we wish the best for him and hopefully he'll get what he's looking for."
Perhaps Minor's top performance came in the Red Raiders' 14-10 victory on Nov. 19 at Iowa State, when he was credited with a career-high five solo tackles and an assist. Dunlap missed that game with an injury, and Frye and Minor filled in for him.
Minor wore No. 3 in 2021 and 2022. He kept the number this season after Tech coach Joey McGuire said he planned to award No. 3, in honor of the late Luke Siegel, to "the toughest, hardest-working, most competitive guy on the team."
Tech has 23 seniors this season with the Covid-bonus year option. Wide receiver Xavier White has told two Lubbock media outlets he plans to stay for the 2023 season. White has 42 catches for 561 yards and three touchdowns this season. He ranks third on the team in catches, second in receiving yards and tied for second in receiving touchdowns.
Quick hits
Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley said coaches from multiple schools — he estimated between five and 10 — had reached out to the Tech staff to inquire about quarterback Donovan Smith, whose name is in the transfer portal. Smith has passed for 1,505 yards and 12 touchdowns, both team highs, and rushed for 116 yards and seven TDs. ...
DeRuyter said he'd like to add an edge rusher and one or more defensive backs via the transfer portal. The defensive end depth chart is thinned out by field end Tyree Wilson's early entry for the NFL draft and the uncertain status of boundary end Bryce Ramirez, who suffered a lower-leg compound fracture in September.
DeRuyter said he feels good about what's returning at linebacker. Boundary linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and field linebacker Tyrique Matthews both played a lot this season and could step into starting roles next year. They rotated between and within series with starters Kosi Eldridge and Krishon Merriweather, and Matthews has the Covid-bonus year option.
Ty Kana's another promising linebacker from last year's signing class.
Texas Tech senior decisions
The following Texas Tech players who are seniors in 2022 have the option of playing another season in 2023. Here are decisions they've made in that regard, as announced by the players themselves or Tech coaches.
Staying (6): WR Xavier White, DT Tony Bradford, DT Jaylon Hutchings, S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, CB Malik Dunlap, CB Rayshad Williams
Leaving (6): RB SaRodorick Thompson (training for NFL), OG Weston Wright (training for NFL), OT Ethan Carde (transfer portal), DE Tyree Wilson (training for NFL), S Reggie Pearson (transfer portal), PK Trey Wolff (training for NFL)
Pending (11): QB Tyler Shough, TE Henry Teeter, C Dennis Wilburn, C Cade Briggs, DL Myles Cole, LB Tyrique Matthews, LB Patrick Curley, CB Cameron Watts, S Tyler Owens, S Cam White, P Austin McNamara
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Tech corners carousel: Rayshad Williams returning, Kobee Minor transferring
