Texas Tech WR Keke Coutee sets lofty expectations for 2017

Texas Tech has its work cut out in 2017, but with upperclassmen leadership setting the bar high, there’s even less room for errors.

Texas Tech certainly has the potential to be one of those breakout teams in 2017, and with few expectations coming from football pundits in the preseason narrative, there’s plenty of room grow.

While we can all agree that Kliff Kingsbury is on the hot seat in 2017, he’s doing exactly what he was hired to do in rebuilding the Air Raid. If he’s replaced due to defensive shortcomings, it’s not likely he stays in Lubbock, and for Tech’s stable of wide receivers looking to capitalize off the offensive production, that could be spell for disaster in the future.

For players like junior wide receiver Keke Coutee, the stakes are increasingly high this season, and he’s certainly setting lofty expectations to ensure Tech’s consistent rebuilding stays intact.

Poised to become one of quarterback Nic Shimonek’s go-to targets in 2017, Coutee’s opinions on the quarterback transition carries weight.

“The 5-7 record wasn’t up to our standards. So I know we’re [going] to come play this season, and we’re going to play hard.” Coutee said. “I feel like it’s going to be a completely different season.”

As a true sophomore in 2016, Coutee played in all 12 games, and started in two of them. The connection between Patrick Mahomes and Coutee was undeniable, and as a result, Coutee ended the year as Texas Tech’s second-leading receiver with 55 receptions, for 890 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.

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Among all NCAA receivers in 2016, Coutee ranked No. 51 in receiving yards per game (74.2), No. 60 in receiving yards (890), No. 68 in receiving touchdowns (7) and No. 92 for receptions per game (4.6).

“The culture around here has definitely changed a lot.” Said Coutee. “With the coaching staff here, we have all the right tools, so it’s on you, if you just want to work hard for it.”

Coutee mentioned the synergy between he and Shimonek, and while the product won’t be seen until the season kicks off, serving as Mahomes’ backup last season, at least Shimonek has proven stats to go off of.

With with 464 yards and six touchdowns in 2016, Shimonek saw quite a bit of practice time with the first string players last fall. This group includes three of Tech’s top running backs, and three of its top producing wide receivers.

Not only has Shimonek had experience with Tech’s top producers, according to the Spring Prospectus, “Shimonek has served as a backup to four quarterbacks who have either been selected to the NFL Draft or are a potential draftee this year. The group includes former [Iowa and Michigan QB] Jake Rudock and C.J. Beathard at Iowa, as well as former Red Raider quarterbacks Davis Webb and Patrick Mahomes II.”

Coutee highlighting the urgency to win, and framing it by his faith in Shimonek’s talent, and how much the culture has changed from the top down presents lofty expectations for all. But for a team that had its right to wear the Double-T’s around the facility taken away this spring and summer, pride and respect are certainly enough of a motivating factor this season.