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Texas Tech To Face Many Elite Receivers In 2018

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Damarcus Fields #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to the Texas Tech Red Raiders recovering an on side kick during the the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma State Cowboys on September 30, 2017 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Oklahoma State defeated Texas Tech 41-34. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Damarcus Fields #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to the Texas Tech Red Raiders recovering an on side kick during the the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma State Cowboys on September 30, 2017 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Oklahoma State defeated Texas Tech 41-34. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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In 2018, Texas Tech will face many of the nation’s elite receivers, which will challenge an improved and veteran Red Raider defense.

The 2018 Texas Tech defense is expected to be the best the program has fielded in a decade and with the uncertainty at wide receiver and quarterback, it could be the backbone of the team.  And it is fortunate that defensive coordinator David Gibbs has put together his best defense this year because the 2018 schedule features an unusually high number of the best receivers in the nation.

According to a list complied by college football writer Joe Broback, Tech will see 10 of the top 34 receivers in the nation this year.  Nine of those players call the Big 12 home.

Life in the Big 12 guarantees yearly showdowns with high powered offensive attacks and far too often, Texas Tech has not been able to offer much resistance against top passing teams.  In 2017, Tech allowed more passing yards than all but seven FBS teams ranking No. 122 in the nation by surrendering 3,668 yards through the air.

The 282 yards per game Tech allowed via the pass last year was an improvement of 33 yards per game from 2016.  But in the Kingsbury era, Tech has allowed fewer than 253 passing yards per game just once, in Kingsbury’s first year, 2013.

Fortunately, defensive coordinator David Gibbs has a talented veteran defensive backfield to work with.  Tech is expected to have three senior starters in its secondary led by safety Jah’Shawn Johnson, one of the top play-making defensive backs in the Big 12.

But despite the strong secondary, if the Red Raiders do not have an improved pass rush, life will be impossible for the back half of the defense.  Tech had just 18 sacks last season and far too often, opposing QBs were given too much time to let receivers get open.

There is more talent on the 2018 Texas Tech defense than in recent memory but when considering the talented opposing wide receivers on this fall’s schedule, it will be tough for Tech to stay under the 250-yards-per-game threshold.

The season opens with Tech facing the top receiver in the nation by virtually all accounts, Ole Miss’ A.J. Brown.  The junior star has amassed 1,242 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 20 career games.  What makes the 6-foot-1 target especially dangerous is his ability to line up on the outside or in the slot making it especially tough to account for him and put your best corner on him at all times.

Last season, Brown had six games of at least 100 receiving yards but only three of those were against SEC opponents.  Brown is currently listed as a top-10 prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft on  every draft list.

When Texas Tech hits Big 12 play, life will not be any less daunting.  In the second game of the Big 12 slate, Tech will see one of the top receiver duos in the country in West Virginia’s David Sills and Gary Jennings.

A season ago, Sills put up 980 yards and 18 touchdowns while Jennings put up 1,030 yards.  Both are considered top-25 receivers in the nation and against Tech, the tandem put up 12 catches for 161 yards and three touchdowns.

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The next week, a trip to Ft. Worth will mean trying to stop TCU’s sophomore speedster Jalen Reagor.  The son of former Red Raider football star Monte Reagor was one of the most dynamic freshmen receivers in the country in 2017 with 407 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 14.5 yards per catch.

In November, perhaps the biggest challenge on the schedule arrives when Oklahoma comes to Lubbock.  The Sooners’ boast two more dynamic receivers in sophomores Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb.

Brown put up 981 yards and six touchdowns last year while Lamb had 741 yards and seven TDs.  While this duo is as talented as any in the Big 12, OU, like Texas Tech, will be counting on a first-time starter at QB this year which could result in a decrease in its passing output.

The next week, Texas comes to town featuring one of the most athletic receivers in the nation.  6-foot-6, 220-pound junior Collin Johnson is a potential first round NFL draft pick who amassed 725 yards and two touchdowns last year.  Tech was able to hold him to just 4 catches and 30 yards in 2017 but that was due in large part to sub-par quarterback play from the Longhorns.

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Other Big 12 receivers that will pose a threat include Baylor’s Denzel Mims (1,072 yards and 8 TDs in 2017), Iowa State’s Hakeem Butler (506 yards and 7 TDs) and Ok. State’s Jalen McClesky (633 yards and 5 TDs).  Fortunately, David Gibbs is known for his prowess as a defensive backs coach because in 2018, his secondary could be tested like never before.

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