The Texas Tech Red Raiders have just encountered a significant obstacle on their path to a promising 2025 football season. The program, coming off an offseason filled with high hopes and promising recruiting successes, has now been dealt a harsh blow with the unexpected loss of two of their most pivotal players for the season opener next month. According to internal reports and confirmations from the coaching staff, both of these star athletes—one on the offensive side of the ball and the other on defense—have been ruled out for at least the next few weeks, making them unavailable for Texas Tech’s much-anticipated opening clash. This development comes as not only a tactical setback for head coach Joey McGuire but also a massive psychological jolt for a fan base yearning for a breakout season.
The first of the two absences comes in the form of sophomore quarterback and offensive leader Treyvon McCall, who sustained a high-grade ankle sprain during a non-contact drill in summer practice. McCall, a four-star recruit from the class of 2023, emerged as the frontrunner for the starting job during spring camp after putting up impressive numbers in limited action last season. His absence will undeniably shake the Red Raiders’ offensive blueprint, which had been carefully designed around his dual-threat capabilities. McCall had quickly become the face of the offense—a charismatic leader whose ability to read defenses, extend plays with his legs, and deliver accurate passes on the move made him a rising star within the Big 12. His injury, though not season-ending, will require at least four to six weeks of rehabilitation, which means he will miss not only the opener but likely the second game as well, depending on his recovery progression.
The second blow lands on the defensive end with the announcement that junior linebacker Darius Riggins will also be unavailable due to a violation of team rules, reportedly involving an off-campus altercation that is currently under administrative review. Riggins, who led the team in total tackles last season and served as the heart of the Red Raiders’ defensive scheme, has been suspended indefinitely. While the coaching staff has not released the full details, sources close to the program suggest that the incident took place earlier this summer and only recently came to light. The timing couldn’t be worse. With a strong non-conference schedule to open the year, the Red Raiders needed Riggins to anchor a unit that already had questions in the secondary. His absence removes not just talent, but leadership, from the defensive huddle.
These two setbacks cast a long shadow over what was supposed to be a hopeful start to the season. The Red Raiders, who had finished 8-5 last year and secured a convincing bowl win, were expected to contend seriously in the Big 12 this fall. Much of that optimism stemmed from the stability at quarterback and the returning core on defense. With both McCall and Riggins out, however, contingency plans must be executed swiftly. Redshirt freshman Caleb Denham is expected to take the reins under center. Denham, though talented and physically gifted, lacks live game experience and will be thrown into the fire against a tough opening opponent in Ole Miss, who boasts a fast and aggressive defensive line. The staff had been grooming Denham quietly for such a moment, but the learning curve he now faces is nothing short of vertical. If Denham stumbles, Texas Tech could be looking at a quarterback carousel early in the year—something no program wants, especially when trying to establish a rhythm.
On defense, the coaching staff will look to sophomore Alexey Jones to step up in Riggins’ absence. Jones, a highly-rated recruit out of Louisiana, saw limited action last year mostly on special teams but has the tools to develop into a solid contributor. Still, he is not the vocal field general that Riggins was. Jones will have to mature quickly, not just physically but mentally, as he will be responsible for making reads, calling adjustments, and maintaining the intensity that defined last year’s defensive identity. This is a tall task for a player with only 42 total snaps under his belt in real game situations.
Beyond the tactical shake-up, there are psychological implications for the rest of the locker room. The timing of both absences—one due to injury and the other to disciplinary reasons—raises questions about the team’s preparation and discipline heading into the season. It also forces the coaching staff to reassess leadership roles within the locker room. Players who were once expected to support from the sidelines must now become central figures. Coaches who had focused their schemes around two players must pivot on a dime and rewrite portions of their playbook to suit less experienced personnel.
The response from the fan base has been mixed. Some remain optimistic, pointing to the depth of the roster and the strong recruiting class brought in over the past two years. Others are more skeptical, noting that last season’s success was built on the consistency of key players—many of whom are now gone or unavailable. Social media has been abuzz with speculation and frustration, with many calling for greater transparency around Riggins’ situation and others second-guessing the team’s summer training protocols following McCall’s injury.
Recruiting analysts have also weighed in on the long-term implications of these setbacks. The 2025 recruiting class, ranked among the top 15 nationally, could see some ripple effects if the Red Raiders struggle early and lose momentum. High school recruits tend to gravitate toward programs that demonstrate stability and upward trajectory. A slow start marred by visible dysfunction could change the narrative around Texas Tech just as it was beginning to reshape itself as a serious contender in the conference. That said, adversity also creates opportunity, and there is a school of thought that suggests overcoming this early storm could galvanize the team in a way that few preseason storylines can.
For Coach McGuire, this moment is perhaps his first major leadership test since taking the helm. He will need to rally his staff and players, maintain composure, and project confidence despite the swirling uncertainty. The Red Raiders still have a talented roster, and the season is long. But the margin for error has suddenly shrunk. If Denham can be serviceable at quarterback and if the defense can weather the loss of its emotional leader, Texas Tech may yet find its footing in time for conference play. But if either side of the ball falters, the first month of the season could become a brutal uphill climb.
McGuire has built much of his program’s culture around accountability, adaptability, and resilience—qualities that will now be put under the microscope. Team captains will need to step up, and younger players will be asked to mature faster than planned. Strength and conditioning coaches may have to alter their regimen to prevent further injuries, while team psychologists will play a more critical role in keeping morale high. The situation also calls for creative game-planning. Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley will likely scale back the playbook for Denham, relying more on the run game and short-to-intermediate passes to build his confidence. Defensively, expect more zone coverages and conservative blitz packages to minimize the risk of blown assignments with Riggins out.
The next few weeks will reveal much about the character and direction of this Texas Tech team. While fans and media alike fixate on what has been lost, those inside the program must focus on what remains: a chance to rise, recalibrate, and perhaps even redefine themselves under pressure. If Texas Tech can survive this early storm, the resilience they develop now could serve as the foundation for a deeper and more inspired run later in the season. If not, the 2025 campaign might go down not as the next step in their evolution but as a cautionary tale of what could’ve been.
