Texas Tech Football: QB Michael Brewer's Transfer Means It's Davis Webb's Time

And then there was one. 

Following the departure of freshman walk-on Baker Mayfield, Texas Tech announced Wednesday that another quarterback would be leaving Lubbock.

In an email statement through Texas Tech, redshirt sophomore Michael Brewer said he would transfer from the program. Brewer, who was presumed to be the starting quarterback before suffering a back injury in the preseason, looked good in limited snaps over his career, throwing for 440 yards and five touchdowns. 

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Brewer will remain on scholarship through the spring and is scheduled to graduate in May. That means he will be able play for another Division 1 program immediately and have two years of eligibility remaining. 

"Lubbock has been nothing but great to me and my family, and we will always appreciate that,'' Brewer said. "Wherever I may go, I hope our fans will respect the person and player that I am.  The decision to transfer was well thought out by my family and myself and was one of the toughest of my life.  I feel it’s the right decision for me moving forward.  As always, Guns Up!”

For Texas Tech, Brewer's departure means the Red Raiders will, barring an unexpected addition, enter spring practices with one scholarship quarterback: freshman Davis Webb. 

Webb ended the 2013 season by throwing for 403 yards and four touchdowns in a 37-23 Holiday Bowl win over Arizona State. 

It was that performance that likely gave Webb a leg up on the quarterback competition heading into spring. However, with Brewer departing and Mayfield transferring to Oklahoma, it's Webb's job now. 

Webb started six games last season—Mayfield started the other seven— and threw for 2,718 yards, with 20 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. That trial by fire is more than enough to prepare him for what lies ahead. 

But it's how head coach Kliff Kingsbury manages the quarterback depth behind Webb that becomes the intriguing part of this equation. 

As Chris Level of RedRaiderSports tweets, Tech will likely need to sign another quarterback for its 2014 class since Patrick Mahomes seems bound for a move to baseball. 

The lack of depth could force freshman Collin Bowen, who has quarterback experience, to take snaps behind Webb as an emergency reserve. 

It's not an ideal situation, to be sure. Kingsbury, a former quarterback for Tech, may have to throw on a helmet and shoulder pads. 

Still, Webb has shown he has what it takes to be the face of Texas Tech's offense. The question will be who the faces are behind him. 

In any case, keeping Webb healthy will be a high priority for Kingsbury in 2014. 

Ben Kercheval is the lead writer for Big 12 football. All quotes obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise. You can follow Ben on Twitter @BenKercheval.