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Xavier Martin Moves From QB to Inside Receiver

By Matthew Conner

Oct 31, 2015; Lubbock, TX, USA; A Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleader celebrates the Red Raiders scoring a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Lubbock, TX, USA; A Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleader celebrates the Red Raiders scoring a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas Tech has announced that 2017 quarterback signee, Xavier Martin has been moved to inside receiver.  Why was this move made and what might it suggest moving forward?

In a bit of surprising move, the Texas Tech football team has moved its lone 2017 high school quarterback signee, Xavier Martin to inside receiver.   The move became public when the Red Raiders released the summer football roster and Martin was listed at receiver.

The reasons for this move are plentiful.  First of all, the team suffered a hit at the position in April when 2016 leading receiver Jonathan Giles announced his decision to transfer.  He caught 69 passes for 1,158 yards and 13 scores last year but fell out of favor with the coaches at the end of the season.  Giles was even benched for the team’s game against Iowa State due to a lack of effort in practice.

Veteran receivers Keke Coutee and Cameron Batson should be able to carry the load as starters next year.  However, inside receiver is a position that sees as much rotation during games as any on the offense.  Martin gives Tech another weapon at its most utilized position and provides needed depth at a position left thin by the departure of Giles and the retirement of Ian Sadler.

Another reason for this move is that Kingsbury must be confident with his situation at quarterback.  Martin was an excellent dual threat QB at Cibolo, (TX) Steel High School.  He led the team the 6-A state championship game last season.

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Along the way, he showed explosive athleticism but appeared to be extremely raw as a passer.  He was listed as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart after spring ball.  Ahead of him is senior and presumed starter Nick Shimonek, junior Payne Sullins and sophomore McLane Carter (a 2017 JUCO signee).

Martin’s move could also signal positive news in regards to another potential Texas Tech quarterback.  2016 signee Jett Duffey was suspended from the university in January for sexual misconduct.  However,  his return this fall looks imminent and Martin’s position change is further proof that Kingsbury expects Duffey to be a factor at quarterback in the future.

Next: Texas Tech Football Adds First 2018 Defensive Commit

Rather than having Xavier Martin redshirt at quarterback, Kingsbury and offensive coordinator Eric Morris want his athleticism on the field this season.  During the “Air Raid” era of Texas Tech football, numerous high school quarterbacks have successfully transitioned to inside receiver (most notably being Robert Johnson who caught 156 passes for 1,822 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2005-2006 after being signed as the No. 1 dual-threat JUCO QB in the nation).  Here’s hoping Xavier Martin is able to have similar success and becomes another in the long line of star inside receivers to play at Texas Tech.

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