The 3-2-1: Final week of camp rapidly approaching for Red Raiders

RELATED: Projecting Texas Tech's two-deep as camp passes midway point

Texas Tech will kickoff its 2016 campaign in 15 days against Stephen F. Austin at Jones Stadium.

With the season rapidly approaching, we are happy to introduce a new weekly feature: The 3-2-1. In it, we will breakdown three things that we learned over the last week, dive into two questions we have and give one prediction.

Here is the first installment of The 3-2-1.

1 - Kliff Kingsbury remains confident in the offensive line

If there's been one thing that Texas Tech's head coach has stressed to the media during the first week and a half of preseason camp, it's that he and his staff feel far more bullish about the team's offensive line than fans and media.

That confidence stems from the fact that seniors Baylen Brown and Tony Morales and sophomore Justin Murphy are veteran starters from a year ago, adding that the new starters - which look to be redshirt freshmen Terence Steele and Madison Akamnonu at this point - are talented and developing well.

Kingsbury doesn't mince words or offer up empty praise, so his comments regarding the offensive line shouldn't be taken lightly.

2 - Texas Tech's two-deep is beginning to take shape

The biggest position battle of preseason camp has been at left guard where, as stated above, Akamnonu has taken the lead and likely solidified himself as a starter. But he's not the only Red Raider trying to push his way to the front of the depth chart, as time is running out for players to make that final push to earn their stripes.

On the other side of the spectrum, some established starters are having to fight off hot challengers. Ian Sadler, who was Texas Tech's starting Y-receiver for much of last season, may be supplanted in the starting lineup by sophomore Jonathan Giles.

Regardless, with only a handful of practices left before game week begins, the Red Raider coaching staff is beginning to get a very clear picture of who goes where on the depth chart and what the initial two-deep will look like.

In fact, Kingbsury noted after Wednesday's practice that the two-deep was about 75 percent set heading into the team's second scrimmage. If a Red Raider is looking to make a statement, they had better do it quickly.

3 - Defensive line looks to be on the up and up

Perhaps the most notable development from camp has been the optimism surrounding the improvement and growth of the team's defensive line.

Players - including Jah'Shawn Johnson and Patrick Mahomes - and Kingsbury have all pointed out that they've seen a change in the group for the better. At different points in camp, they have pointed to more physical, disciplined and intelligent play across the board from the top players on the edges and in the interior.

Should that talk prove to be more than simply words, the starting group of Breiden Fehoko, Ondre Pipkens, Gary Moore and Kolin Hill could make their mark as Texas Tech's best defensive line in five-plus years.

1 - Will T.J. Vasher and Joe Wallace really contribute?

The two true freshmen names that continue to buzz off the lips of their teammates and head coach are outside receiver T.J. Vasher and defensive tackle Joe Wallace. In fact, if the season were to start today, it appears that both would definitely be in the playing rotation.

But we've heard about young bucks flashing in preseason camp before, and often many of them fall back down to earth once the season start. Will they both continue to be consistent producers when the season begins or fall off as the grind ramps up?

2 - Number of injuries and "rest days" cause for concern?

There are always bumps and bruises that occur during preseason camp. Heck, it's really just a part of playing football in general. Almost every player on every team is going to deal with some kind of nagging pain or ache during the season.

Knowing that, many Texas Tech veterans will get days off in camp from time to time. Through the first week and a half of camp, players such as Fehoko, Murphy and Morales have sat out practice in order to rest and limit the wear and tear on their bodies.

Some Red Raiders have already missed time with injury, with some of the more notable absences being Moore, defensive back Thierry Nguema, outside receiver Derrick Willies. Others, such as Sadler and running back Justin Stockton, have missed practice at times for unknown reasons.

Fortunately, to our knowledge, Texas Tech's injuries in camp have been limited - knock on wood - but one does have to wonder if the small dings and designated rest days are cause for some concern.

While two of his true freshmen classmates, Vasher and Wallace, may be getting all the publicity, outside linebacker Jordyn Brooks has quietly continued to improve his standing. Early on in camp, he was running with the second-team defense every few series during the early 11-on-11 periods.

Now, the Houston Stratford product is solidly running with the twos and was even seen as a starter at Wednesday's practice. His stock continues to rise, and he is seemingly making a push at the right time.

My prediction? Brooks will be a starter a few weeks into the year. He's a physical specimen that already looks like an upperclassman, and he has talent that you can't teach. If Brooks can continue to learn the defense and not get overwhelmed, he will start as a true freshman.