'Something different': Tech freshman running back garners lofty comparison

The five years Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire spent at Baylor and the reverence he holds for former Bears coach Matt Rhule leads McGuire to frequently reference that period in how he runs his new program.

Here's an attention-getting comparison: One of Texas Tech's young running backs, McGuire says, reminds him of Baylor's single-season rushing record holder. The high praise is for Anquan Willis, the former Wichita Falls Rider standout who joined the Red Raiders in January.

Willis and bullish sophomore Bryson Donnell are co-third team on the Red Raiders' post-spring depth chart. Both their springs were shortened by injury, Donnell for a concussion and Willis by a strain in his lower calf near the Achilles tendon.

"Really happy with Anquan," McGuire said. "He didn't get to play in the spring game, but he showed me some things that reminded me a lot of Abram Smith at Baylor."

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Smith was a Doak Walker Award semifinalist in 2021, when he ran for 1,601 yards and 12 touchdowns on the Bears' 12-2 Sugar Bowl winner. Baylor listed him at 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds. Tech shows Willis at 6-foot and 220.

Smith started four games at linebacker the year before his breakout season at running back. Willis was a two-way standout in high school, being credited with 16 sacks in addition to his rushing output. Tech considered playing Willis on defense, but in limited time this spring he impressed carrying the football.

"We put him on offense to see his rush skills, and, man, he really does," McGuire said. "The thing with Abram, he ran behind his pads, he was a one-cut, get-vertical (back). You see that with Anquan. That's a big comparison, because Anquan's a mid-year freshman, but there were runs early in the spring that you were like, 'Man, he's got something different.' "

Returnees Tahj Brooks and Cam'Ron Valdez form the Red Raiders' unquestioned one-two at running back, and McGuire said, "There's a battle for that third spot with Bryson Donnell and Anquan Willis."

Willis is one of two state-top 100 running backs Tech signed in its 2023 class. Jmaury Davis, a 2,100-yard rusher last season for Clarendon, is expected to join the team this summer.

"The thing with (Willis), and it'll be the same way with Jmaury when he comes in, is slowing the game down," McGuire said. "It's just so much more than what they're used to having as far as offensive scheme, but I feel good about him."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football freshman running back Anquan Willis garners lofty comparison