Texas Tech football alumni: Jakeem Grant breaking mold as outside receiver

Third-year NFL veteran and former Texas Tech inside receiver Jakeem Grant is breaking the mold of the typical wide receiver by becoming a threat on the outside despite his diminutive size.

Throughout his college career, Jakeem Grant’s production exceedingly dwarfed his 5-foot-7 frame as he became the Red Raiders’ all-time leading receiver. Now, the Texas Tech football legend is beginning to break the mold of the prototypical wide receiver in the NFL as he becomes a threat in the Miami Dolphins’ passing attack.

Because of injuries to starters Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker, Grant got the start at wide receiver in Miami’s second preseason game Friday night. In a 27-20 loss to Carolina, Grant was the Dolphins’ leading receiver with 4 receptions for 45 yards. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Grant’s production came on just five targets, proving that the undersized reviser can get open from the outside of the formation.

Primarily a kick returner in his first two years with Miami, Grant has been used sparingly as a receiver pulling in 13 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the NFL. But this year, Grant is expected to be a larger part of an offense searching for more production in the passing game after a 2017 that saw the Dolphins rank just 18th in the NFL in passing yards.

But starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill is back after missing all of 2017 with a knee injury and Grant could be one of the beneficiaries. He also stands to benefit from the extra opportunities created by the offseason trade of Miami’s former star receiver Jarvis Landry who was exiled to Cleveland following a 112 reception, 987 yard, 9 touchdown season last year.

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Working in Grant’s favor is the modern evolution of the NFL passing game which is now asking wide receivers to run shorter routes and get open more quickly than offenses of the past. That philosophy fits perfectly with Grant’s skill-set.

"“The way he can release off the ball, he’s hard to get hands on,” Miami head coach Adam Gase said. . “He can make guys miss very quickly if you press him, so that means he’s gonna get by you and now the safety might have to get involved. Now you’re taking the safety out of the middle of the field, and the other side’s gonna become available."

Let season, Grant finished the year on an up-tick. With just three receptions in the first 12 gams, Grant hauled in 10 passes for 188 yards and two scores in the final four games.

His career-best game thus far came in week-14 against Kansas City when he brought in four passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. But it was a breakout performance (2 receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown) against Miami’s hated rival New England that was the beginning of Jakeem Grant’s rise on the depth chart and rise in popularity among the Miami fanbase.

Now many Dolphins fans are clambering to see more of him in the offense this fall and it appears that they will get their wish.

"“Just the potential that he has as a playmaker, I think he has done a really good job continuing to grow that way,” Miami offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. “You keep expanding his route tree.”"

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Developing into a complete receiver who has even shown an ability to make plays over taller defenders, Grant is continually adding more to his arsenal. Now the primary punt and kickoff return man and pushing his way into the Miami game plan on offense, Jakeem Grant is once again proving to be a much bigger threat than anyone would expect at first glance.

But that comes as no surprise to Texas Tech fans to whom he will always be a giant.

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