Aug. 6, 2007

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech football coaching staff welcomed 105 players Monday as newcomers and varsity returnees reported for the start of preseason training camp. Among the group were 85 scholarship players and 20 walk-ons.

"Everybody is real excited and pumped up to get back on the field," senior safety Joe Garcia said. "I can't wait nor can anyone else. It's been seven months since we came together and won the Insight Bowl. We are now ready to continue playing for each other like we did that night. I thought our summer went very well. There was a lot of leadership and everyone worked hard. It was one of the best summers I've been a part of in my five years here."

The Red Raiders have a team meeting tonight following a team dinner. Practice officially gets underway Tuesday with a 3:45 p.m. workout following a day of orientation, meetings and class.

The Red Raiders will practice for the next 16 days, before taking a day off Wed., Aug. 22. For the first time under Head Coach Mike Leach, there is not a scheduled two-a-day workout for the squad. The first scheduled day for full pads is Saturday. Tech hosts its annual Media/Autograph Day on Fri., Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. on the surface of Jones AT&T Stadium.

Tuesday's workout kicks off a series of 23-scheduled practices all leading up to the start of the 2007 season. Texas Tech kicks off the year at SMU on Labor Day, Sept. 3, at 3 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.