Baylor transfer AJ McCarty is now eligible and ready to bring some much-needed experience to a Red Raider secondary that returns only two starters.
In today’s landscape of college football, where the transfer portal facilitates easier player movement, it’s increasingly uncommon for athletes to face a mandatory year of ineligibility after transferring. This was the case for A.J. McCarty, a former Baylor player who missed out on immediate eligibility in 2023 by not entering the transfer portal before the deadline.
Had McCarty been eligible to play last season, speculation suggests he could have competed for a starting position. Now, after a year of waiting, McCarty is poised to play a pivotal role in a revamped Texas Tech secondary.
Following the departure of key members from last season’s secondary, including Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Tyler Owens, Malik Dunlap, and Rayshad Williams, Texas Tech is in need of new defensive backs to step up.
McCarty, a native of Brownwood, Texas, has earned the starting nod at the “Star” position on the Texas Tech depth chart. Julien Baskerville, who initially started at “Star” last season before shifting to safety, is set to remain in his new role.
What can McCarty bring to Texas Tech? Experience will be crucial. With 29 career games under his belt at Baylor, McCarty accrued 37 tackles in 2022 as a part-time starter at cornerback. Now, he faces the challenge of adapting to a hybrid safety/linebacker role, likely focusing primarily on pass defense due to his size at 6 feet and 190 pounds.
Finding stability at the “Star” position is pivotal for Texas Tech’s defensive strategy under Tim DeRuyter. However, uncertainties remain as no clear-cut backups have proven themselves on the current depth chart. Behind McCarty, Brenden Jordan, a promising sophomore who showed flashes last season with 20 tackles in 13 games, stands ready. Marcus Ramon-Edwards, a redshirt freshman and a 3-star recruit from the 2023 class, also factors into the mix.
There has been consideration of utilizing Miquel Dingle, a speedy 6-foot-2, 220-pound redshirt freshman linebacker, at the “Star” spot to leverage his athleticism. However, Dingle is currently listed as a third-string inside linebacker following spring evaluations.
McCarty’s journey to contribute to Texas Tech’s defense has seen him patiently wait for his opportunity after sitting out last season. Now, he looks forward to making an impact and solidifying the Red Raiders’ secondary.
