Oct 13, 2012; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders tight end Jace Amaro (22) scores a touchdown as West Virginia Mountaineers Darwin Cook (25) defends in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas Tech won 49-14. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
H Inside Receiver
Starter: Jace Amaro
Perhaps the most unique athlete in Texas Tech football history, Jace Amaro is the top pick at the H inside receiver spot on the Texas Tech all-time roster. The 4-star recruit from San Antonio, TX was an impossible matchup for defenses.
At 6-foot-5 and 270-pounds, Amaro was far too big to be covered by a corner or safety. And with 4.7 speed, Amaro easily outran opposing linebackers.
As a junior in 2013, Amaro caught 1,352 yards worth of passes, good for the second best season in school history. That season he set the NCAA receiving record for yards by a tight end. Amaro is only of only five Texas Tech players to be named a unanimous 1st-team all-American (2013).
Leaving for the NFL Draft after his junior season, Amaro was a second round pick of the New York Jets in 2014. His 38 receptions and 345 yards receiving led all NFL rookie tight ends.
Backup: Danny Amendola
With 204 career receptions, the native of The Woodlands, TX is 9th on the Texas Tech all-time list. In 2007, Amendola caught 109 passes, the second most for a Red Raider in one season. That season, he amassed 1,245 yards receiving (5th in school history) including 233 yards on 14 catches against Oklahoma State.
Amendola is also one of the greatest punt returners in school history. Returning 111 punts for 1,283 yards, Amendola averaged 11.1 yards per return ranking second in school history.
Amendola has 339 career receptions in the NFL for 3,187 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also scored a touchdown in the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl XLVIIII victory in 2015.
Next: Y Inside Receiver - Wes Welker