After four years of video game style jukes, electrifying kickoff returns, big catches and making defenders look silly, Jakeem Grant has only one more game left in his Texas Tech career. The high school player who had only one other offer to play college football (Tulsa) due to his small stature is now the leading receiver in Texas Tech history ahead of legends like Michael Crabtree, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola and Lloyd Hill.
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People love the underdog and to say that Grant faced an uphill battle when he signed with Texas Tech is more than an understatement. But the little guy with the huge heart and loads of talent will forever be a Red Raider fan favorite. Today, we look back at the greatest moments of Jakeem Grant’s Texas Tech career.
Dec 30, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders receiver Jakeem Grant (2) is hoisted by teammate Kenny Williams (34) after scoring on an 18-yard touchdown reception against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 2013 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
10. – Two Touchdowns in the 2013 Holiday Bowl
Jakeem Grant was a sophomore just beginning to bloom in 2013. As Texas Tech took on the heavily favorited Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2013 Holiday Bowl, most people expected a route by the team that had just played for the Pac 12 championship. After all, Texas Tech was a middling Big 12 team coming off of five losses to end the regular season so like Grant, Texas Tech was given little chance.
Texas Tech came out on fire to take a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Then, Jakeem Grant took a fly sweep around the right side of the offense for an 18-yard touchdown. The play put Texas Tech up two scores and let everyone in the stadium know that the Red Raiders were not going to bow down to the No. 14 Sun Devils.
Later in the first half, Tech had extended its lead to 20-6 when Grant struck again. Unable to stop Texas Tech’s passing game, Arizona State brought an all-out blitz on 3rd down but quarterback Davis Webb found Grant streaking across the middle of the field wide open for a 21-yard touchdown.
With the score now 28-6, the dynamic of the game changed. Arizona State seemed to pack it in for the evening and its lack of resolve became evident by the body language of everyone on the sideline from coaches to players to even the water boy.
Texas Tech would win the game 37-23 giving first-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury a bowl win to end the season. That victory was the springboard propelling Texas Tech fans to sell out every season ticket available in 2014, the first time that had happened in program history.
Next: Kickoff Return TD vs. Baylor?