Texas Tech adding grad transfer from Alabama in backfield

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech is adding Alabama graduate transfer Chadarius Townsend, who was used sparingly at running back by the Crimson Tide and has two years of eligibility remaining.

Townsend was a standout high school quarterback in Alabama before joining the Crimson Tide in 2017. After a redshirt season, he split time at running back and receiver while also playing special teams for two years. He had eight carries for 22 yards last season.

Coach Matt Wells has now added a grad transfer at running back in each of his two offseasons with the Red Raiders. Armand Shyne came over from Utah last year and finished second on the team with 374 yards rushing.

SaRodorick Thompson led Texas Tech with 765 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground as a redshirt freshman last year. He was the eighth player to lead the Red Raiders in rushing as a freshman. Another freshman, Ta'Zhawn Henry, was third behind Shyne.

Townsend, who got his degree in human environmental science in three years, is the fourth graduate transfer to join Texas Tech this offseason. The others are linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle (Michigan State), offensive lineman Josh Burger (Wofford) and linebacker Jacob Morgenstern (Duke).

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