Fingers crossed: Texas Tech plays waiting game on status of new transfer

ARLINGTON — Newly arrived defensive back A.J. McCarty could give Texas Tech the kind of experienced backup the Red Raiders' secondary needs this coming season, assuming he's able to play.

That's not a given. And Tech coach Joey McGuire expects the eligibility status on the transfer from Baylor won't be nailed down soon.

"We might not know until going into Wyoming," McGuire said, referring to the Sept. 2 season opener.

McCarty played in 29 games the past three seasons at Baylor, starting two last year and returning an interception for a touchdown off Tech quarterback Tyler Shough. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior from Brownwood had his name entered into the NCAA transfer portal on June 12 and committed to the Red Raiders on July 2.

To be eligible to play this coming season at a new school, undergraduates had to have their names in the portal during the April 15-30 window. McCarty needs a waiver to play for the Red Raiders this season.

"We're still working on that," McGuire said during Thursday's session of Big 12 media days. "The great thing about him is I think he literally can play all five (defensive back) spots. I think he can play corner. He definitely can play star, which is where [starter] C.J. Baskerville is. If we can get him, he does bring a lot of experience, where you can slow down on some young guys that might not be ready to play as much as what you want."

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Tech went into the summer with two true freshmen as second-teamers: Brenden Jordan behind Baskerville at the hybrid defensive back/linebacker position and Chapman Lewis behind Dadrion Taylor-Demerson at free safety.

Also going into summer, the cornerback depth chart had redshirt freshman Maurion Horn as a top backup and true freshman Jordan Sanford as a third-teamer. Tech subsequently added experienced depth at that spot in Bralyn Lux, a transfer who started 22 games the past three seasons at Fresno State.

On3.com reported that McCarty's portal entry showed Baylor canceled his financial aid, which could help his case for a waiver.

"Again, we'll see," McGuire said. "It's going to be a process, but we were thinking big picture with that. We knew him, and we're thinking kind of long-term because he's got a couple of years to play."

Aug. 3 is the Red Raiders' report date for preseason practice, Aug. 4 the first workout.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Fingers crossed: Texas Tech football plays waiting game on status of new transfer