Texas Tech is applying to the NCAA on behalf of offensive tackle Rashad Fortenberry and cornerback Dee Paul for medical hardship waivers, Tech spokesman Blayne Beal said Friday.

If approved, the waivers would restore senior-season status for Fortenberry in 2014 and freshman-season status for Paul.

Fortenberry's case is especially significant given that he started every game for the Red Raiders at right tackle during the 2013 season, which was his senior year, and the team lacks proven depth behind him.

Fortenberry is still going to school at Tech and said last week he's hopeful but doesn't know what to expect.

Fortenberry played in only three games for the Red Raiders in 2012 and was unavailable later in the season because of a back injury, then-coach Tommy Tuberville said.

"With Rashad, we're hoping he gets that year back with his medical," offensive line coach Lee Hays said near the end of the season. "We're hoping he can get that done. It'd be great if that happens."

If Fortenberry's case is rejected, the Red Raiders don't have a proven player to take his spot in 2014. The candidates could include junior Matt Wilson, senior James Polk and redshirt freshman Poet Thomas.

Wilson was second team in 2013, but played little. Polk started seven games at guard, but practiced at tackle late in the year after Wilson suffered a season-ending foot injury. Thomas is being groomed as a right tackle.

Paul played in the first three games of 2013 as a true freshman, then missed the rest of the year with a hamstring injury. He was still doing rehab for the injury at the end of the season.

Beal said Tech would have no comment on the specifics of the cases or the time frames for resolution.

don.williams@lubbockonline.com

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