Spring preview: Who’s next on special teams?

With spring football practices on the horizon Texas Tech will aim to address several gaps in its depth chart, including a few positions on special teams.

Former Tech receiver Jakeem Grant left the bar extremely high as an all-purpose player after adding two return touchdowns during his senior season, bringing his career total to four. Grant was recognized as a third-team All-American and second-team All-Big 12 member for his efforts.

Junior college transfer De’Quan Bowman will have the first opportunity to takeover the role and thrived at the position last season, earning Honorable Mention JUCO All-American status as a return specialist. Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury acknowledges Bowman’s skills as a returner and also the developing talent on Tech’s roster.

“That's why [Bowman] was brought in," Kingsbury said. "I think when you lose someone like Jakeem Grant, you're searching for that position. We have some good young guys that we think can step up and do that. But we wanted to bring him in to compete for that position as far as a returner, an inside receiver that can catch those quick screens, catch those bubbles, make people miss and take it the distance, and he's a guy who has that skill set.”

Sophomore punter Michael Barden will likely enter spring practices with full punting responsibilities for the Red Raiders after appearing in spot reps for Taylor Symmank last season. Symmank also split time at kickoff prior to his injury but sophomore Clayton Hatfield heads into spring ball with a solid grasp on the position following an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 effort. Despite his production from his freshman season, Hatfield still has big shoes to fill as 40 percent of his kickoffs were ruled touchbacks opposed to nearly 73 percent of Symmank’s attempts. Roles could still be undefined with Joe Robinson taking over as special teams coordinator, we’ll have to wait and see until the Red Raiders begin spring practices March 5.

Cameron Batson has two seasons of returning punts under his belts headed into his junior campaign. It’s a luxury having the receiver back although the Red Raiders haven’t experienced similar scoring results as their kick return unit. Batson hasn’t been a liability in terms of fumbles and fielding punts, with that said he could have an inside track on the position heading into spring practices. But with Bowman on campus, could Batson’s duty returning puts be in jeopardy?