Clay McGuire says Texas Tech’s offensive line is truly two-deep

The answers to Texas Tech’s offensive line questions are becoming more clear as the team zeroes in on one week until kickoff. A roller coaster fall camp is coming to a close and reps have been given to an assortment of characters. Despite not being full strength at times, offensive line coach Clay McGuire’s confidence in his unit is growing.

“We probably have the five,” he said to the media Tuesday evening. “You never know until you get to Saturday but I think we have the starting five kind of set. Obviously, we’re in a process of guys returning to play and getting to see and evaluate them more. Getting our depth back to where we were hopeful to have it coming into camp.

That’s kind of my biggest concern, as far as that is just making sure, one, that we are playing at a speed that we need to play on Saturdays. Two, that we’re in proper conditioning to play how we need to play. And we have the depth to do what we want to do this season.”

A starting lineup is becoming more clear

McGuire later added the starting lineup from left-to-right would be: Howard Sampson, Will Jados, Sheridan Wilson, Davion Carter and Jacob Ponton.

Ponton, the Dripping Springs product, was a Rivals Industry Ranking 4-star coming out of high school. He started in the Liberty Bowl against Arkansas and filled in other times last season. Ponton’s development has taken off since his redshirt campaign.

“I think Jacob Ponton, obviously started the bowl game for us,” McGuire said, remaking players who have made a significant jump since 2024. “It’s been very consistent. He’s just scratching the surface, really. I think the sky’s the limit for him from a potential standpoint, but I think he’s improved a lot. Definitely been consistent and been out there everyday.”

A point of contention at right tackle

McGuire reiterated he feels this year’s unit is “two-deep.” He even went as far as saying last year’s offensive line had “Pretty much seven guys, maybe six.”

Ponton has played a significant role in helping solidify a two-deep feeling at right tackle. He’s earned more reps at the spot than Hunter Zambrano, who has dealt with rehab and a back injury throughout camp.

While the answers are becoming more clear across most of the line, right tackle is still up in the air. Ponton has a large say in that.

“It’s a competition thing, we want to have the best five out there,” McGuire said, remarking on getting Zambrano back into the fold. “As Zambrano gets back into the mix and gets the reps that Ponton’s got, we’re going to play the best guy. Looking back on last year, honestly (Ponton) probably should have started a lot in the last couple of games of the year. I really think he was probably better than the guys we were playing. Definitely played very well in the bowl game for us and showed a lot of flashes of what he could be. Very excited about him. Obviously excited to see what he can do, getting out there and competing against other people.”