Terrance Carter Jr. is one of the key cogs from Texas Tech\u2019s College Football Playoff team making his return in 2026. When it came time for Carter to make a decision, there were plenty of factors that helped him decide to come back for a final ride.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust the fan base, the culture here, all the coaches are like family,\u201d Carter told the media Tuesday. \u201cAnd honestly, I\u2019ve got things in my game that I want to improve on before I make the big step and go into the league.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter said he hopes to become a more \u201ccomplete\u201d tight end, sharpening up his skills in the run blocking game. Texas Tech started spring football practices Tuesday, marking the start of the Red Raiders\u2019 rerun as Big 12 champions.
It also meant Carter got to catch passes from transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby. While Tuesday was the first official day of practice, the Carter-Sorsby connection has been brewing for some time now.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt pretty good, we\u2019ve been catching ever since he got here,\u201d Carter said. \u201cIt\u2019s just getting the chemistry down, our timing with how fast I run routes. Getting that down and moving forward to execute.\u201d<\/p>\n
How long have the two been throwing and catching together?<\/p>\n
\u201cLiterally as soon as he touched foot in Lubbock. I texted him like, \u2018I\u2019m ready when you are,\u2019\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n
Carter remarked, too, that of all his teammates new and old, Sorsby is the one he\u2019s made the biggest connection with. Carter and Sorsby\u2019s relationship has been brewing before the quarterback even committed to Texas Tech. Now, it\u2019s apparent to others in the building.<\/p>\n
\u201cTC, they\u2019ve got a really good connection,\u201d head coach Joey McGuire said first when asked who Sorsby\u2019s best receiver connection is.<\/p>\n
Carter\u2019s athleticism shined all season for Texas Tech last year. He finished with 624 yards and five touchdowns last season, including nine receptions against Oregon in the Orange Bowl. <\/p>\n
Knowing that he is, truthfully, an athletic specimen, Carter participated in the Red Raiders\u2019 annual dunk contest when Texas Tech played Cincinnati. His dunk didn\u2019t go as planned, but Carter attributed it to some changes in his body that will help him on the football field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did it last year, I got a little heavier, thought I could pull it off again,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m weighing 249 (pounds), probably the heaviest I\u2019ve ever been. But still moving good, pretty excited about that. My target was 245 but I got over it\u2026 It\u2019s more so muscle just being in the weight room, attacking it, eating good. We ain\u2019t been practicing, for real, so I can\u2019t lose the weight how I want to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Join the conversation with other Red Raiders on the\u00a0Inside The Double T<\/a>\u00a0forum.<\/p>\n Subscribe today<\/a>\u00a0to get the most in-depth Texas Tech sports and recruiting coverage.<\/p>\n Follow us on X:\u00a0@RedRaiderSports<\/a><\/p>\n Like and follow us on Instagram\u00a0@rrs_rivals<\/a>\u00a0& like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n