Texas Tech football: Important position battles to watch this spring

Who will replace Antoine Wesley at the “X” wide receiver?

The most high-profile position battle to watch will be at “X” receiver where the Red Raiders must replace an All-Big 12 performer.  Last year, junior Antoine Wesley recorded the third-most single-season receiving yards in program history with 1,410 to go along with nine touchdowns.

And as he works out for NFL scouts at the NFL Combine this weekend, the process of finding his replacement is underway in Lubbock.  Fortunately, there are a number of intriguing options.

The favorite may be senior Seth Collins, who recorded 317 yards and two touchdowns on 32 receptions last year from the “Y” inside receiver position.  However, prior to coming to Texas Tech, he was an outside receiver at Oregon State and it is not hard to envision a return to the outside for the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder.

Tech will be taking one traditional slot receiver off the field this year and replacing him with a true tight end.  Thus, it seems to make sense for Collins to move outside because his is the only inside receiver built to play outside and Tech certainly will want his athleticism on the field.

Another contender for this spot is redshirt freshman Erik Ezukanma.  The 4-star signee in 2018 appeared in two games and caught two passes for 48 yards including a 41-yard touchdown in his first year on campus.

Also 6-foot-3, he is a physical player with good speed.  The question will be whether or not he can prove to be consistent enough for a major role as a first-time starter.

Other players that may challenge for playing time at the “X” position include redshirt freshmen Corey Fulcher and Caden Leggett and sophomore Dalton Rigdon.  But it will be imperative for one of these players to step forward.  Last year, Antoine Wesley was one of the top big-play receivers in the nation and this spring, the Red Raiders must figure out who will pick up the slack on the outside.