 "Photo: Steve Lewis")
With the departure of senior punter Alex Reyes after the 2006 season, the Texas Tech football team had a few players lined up to fill the position. But with some misfortune because of eligibility and injuries, the Red Raiders are hoping to find a punter through tryouts open to the Tech student body.
Tech special teams coach Ruffin McNeill said considering the mishaps with the punters slated to replace Reyes, the Red Raiders are looking for anyone who is willing to work for the job.
"The guys that we had coming in, one didn't come back because of grade problems, one of the punters that we had that would be here in the spring broke his leg during the season and then we signed one who would be here in the fall," McNeill said. "We had a tryout, but (the team is) just looking for some guys who would like to compete for the job."
McNeill said anyone can tryout for the position, and whoever is successful could wind up with a spot on the team this upcoming season.
"It would be good to have some film, if they don't then that's OK," McNeill said. "It could be one, two, three (people); there's no certain number. We try them, and if they are able to kick successfully, then they have a chance to go to the spring with us and maybe even through the fall."
McNeill said there are no specific requirements the team is looking for, but those who tryout need to be willing to work hard.
"No specific criteria on height and weight," he said of a potential punter's requirements. "Just be willing to work, be willing to accept coaching and be willing to compete."
Reyes finished the 2006 season averaging 45.2 yards per punt and six touchbacks.
Anyone wanting to tryout for the team can start today by calling the Texas Tech Athletic Department and ask for Tech graduate assistant Clay McGuire. Tryouts could be held as early as today at the team's practice facility for a chance to be on the roster by Monday.
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