Texas Tech football: How transfers that left performed in 2018

Jonathan Giles: Receiver LSU

Breiden Fehoko was not the only former Texas Tech football player to do next to nothing at LSU this year despite considerable hype.  Inside receiver Jonathan Giles also left Lubbock for Baton Rouge following the 2016 season but unlike Fehoko, he left after a standout season.

In 2016, Giles led the Red Raiders in receiving with 1,158 yards and 13 touchdowns on 69 receptions.  But as his stats went up, his work ethic and drive diminished and he finished the season with just 241 yards in the final four games of the year.

As Giles faded, sophomore Keke Coutee emerged and became a go-to target.  And when Coutee was listed ahead of Giles on the spring practice depth chart in 2017, Giles became upset and left for LSU.

Perhaps he regrets that decision now because, just as most Texas Tech fans predicted, the Tigers’ ground-based offense did not allow for Giles to make an impact this year.  With only 10 receptions for 59 yards and no touchdowns, he went from an all-Big 12 performer in 2016 to just an another wide receiver to waste away in an offense that is not set up for a smaller receiver to thrive in.

We all saw this one coming.  LSU threw for only 2,576 yards this year and attempted only 28.7 passes per game.  Their leading receiver, Justin Jefferson, caught just 50 passes for 788 yards and four touchdowns.

Three Red Raiders (Antione Wesley, Ja’Deion High and T.J. Vasher) had more receptions than any LSU player and Wesley finished the season second in the nation in receiving yards.  Had Giles remained at Texas Tech, he could have either parlayed a strong 2017 into an NFL career like Coutee or he could have been a feature target on the inside for the Red Raiders as a senior this year.

As it were, Tech’s top inside receiver, High, had 52 more catches, 745 more yards and four more touchdowns that he did.  Giles let his ego derail what was a promising college career and now, he is nothing more than a spare part in an offense that does not utilize players with his skill set.