The Texas Tech football program has officially added former freshman All-American receiver McLane Mannix, a transfer from Nevada who has two years of eligibility remaining.
With the start of the spring semester on Wednesday, the Texas Tech football program was able to officially add a player that could be a key piece of the offense. McLane Mannix, a transfer from Nevada and one of the better inside receivers in the nation is now officially a Red Raider.
The Midland native has caught 107 passes for 1,653 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons. As a freshman, he amassed 778 yards and six touchdowns on 57 receptions earning freshman All-American honors.
But there is a question about whether or not he will be able to play in 2019. NCAA rules stipulate that a player must sit out one season after transferring unless he is a graduate or he has extenuating circumstances that necessitate a change of programs.
When he announced his intention to leave Nevada, Mannix made reference to “personal family matters” leading some to wonder if he might have a case to earn a hardship waver from the NCAA. In 2018, Texas Tech inside receiver Seth Collins was granted a waiver by the NCAA due to health concerns and did not have to sit out a year after transferring from Oregon State.
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Collins claimed that the climate in Oregon prevented him from healing from a host of aliments. There is no word on what case Mannix may have but if he can find a way to get on the field next year, it would be a great addition for the Red Raiders because he would likely be an instant upgrade at a position that has become synonymous with Texas Tech football.
Tech has become known as the premier program for producing big-time inside receivers with the likes of Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Jakeem Grant and Keke Coutee all becoming stars in the “Air Raid” offense.
Last year, Tech’s inside receivers were not as productive as they have been in past seasons. Senior Ja’Deion High was second on the team in receiving with 804 yards and 4 touchdowns on 62 receptions. Meanwhile, Collins was fourth on the team with 32 receptions for 317 yards and two scores in his first season playing at inside receiver full-time. It was the first time since 2014 that a Tech inside receiver did not top the 1,000-yard mark.
But in the offensive scheme of new coordinator David Yost, one of the two inside receiver positions will now be manned by a tight end, presumably JUCO transfer Travis Koontz who signed with the Red Raiders in December. That makes one wonder if the 6-foot-3 Collins will get a shot at playing outside receiver where Tech must replace the leading receiver in the Big 12, Antoine Wesley, who had 1,410 yards and nine touchdowns last year before declaring for the NFL Draft.
If Mannix is forced to sit out this year Collins may stay in the slot and compete with sophomore speedster KeSean Carter for playing time. In his first year on campus, Carter caught 26 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. A high school All-American sprinter, he is currently running track for the Red Raiders.
But regardless of when he gets to step on the field for the Red Raiders, Mannix could prove to be a significant addition. In the past two decades, Texas Tech has built its offense around big time slot receivers and his pedigree suggests he could be the next in line.