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Texas Tech Football: Four Young Players That Must Break Out In 2017

By Matthew Conner

Sep 5, 2015; Lubbock, TX, USA; A general overview of the Jones AT&T Stadium prior to the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Lubbock, TX, USA; A general overview of the Jones AT&T Stadium prior to the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot on the field before the game with the University of Texas Longhorns at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

T.J. Vasher

It has been too long since the Texas Tech offense has had a true alpha at the wide receiver spot.  Redshirt freshman T.J. Vasher has all the tools to follow in the footsteps of former Red Raiders Michael Crabtree, Joel Filani, Jarrett Hicks and Eric Ward as dominant weapons on the outside.

Vasher was one of the top recruits in the state coming out of Wichita Falls, Texas in 2015.  However, he played in just one game last year due to an injury that forced him to redshirt.

Now he is healthy and will have every opportunity to seize playing time in the “Air Raid” offense.  Texas Tech enters the season with two seniors, Dylan Cantrell and Derrick Willies as presumed starters but there are plenty of catches to be had.

And, both Cantrell and Willies have struggled with injuries as well so if one should go down again, Vasher will be asked to step up.

What excites everyone about Vasher is his build.  He is 6-foot-6 and a fluid athlete capable of making big plays on deep balls.

However, he is rail thin.  At just 190 pounds, he has put on a mere ten pounds since arriving on campus.  This slight build will continue to make durability the biggest concern surrounding his game.

Should the former 4-star prospect develop into a lead wide receiver, he could provide the team with an offensive balance that has been lacking in recent seasons.  Since the graduation of Eric Ward in 2013, the Red Raider offense has been too reliant on slot receivers.

Last season, three slot receivers (Jonathan Giles, Cam Batson and Keke Coutee) racked up at least 644 yards.  Meanwhile, only one wide receiver, Cantrell, matched that total.  In fact, no outside receiver has had a 1,000-yard season for Texas Tech since Ward in 2012.

For the “Air Raid” to function properly, balance among the receiver positions must be achieved.  If the outside receivers are not legitimate threats, defenses can use safeties to help double-cover the slot receivers which takes away the quarterback’s easiest reads.

Vasher needs to establish himself this year.  He will be expected to be the go-to outside threat next season since Cantrell and Willies are both graduating.  A strong 2017 from this redshirt freshman will not only make this year’s offense more effective, it will help the Red Raiders know where the offense could be headed for years to come.

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