Texas Tech football: Ranking the offensive position groups

There are more questions than usual in the receiving corps

This is an unusual offseason for the Texas Tech receivers because the position group that has annually been one of Tech’s strongest faces significant unknowns in 2019.  That’s because last season’s top two receivers, Antoine Wesley and Ja’Deion High, are gone and three of the four positions will be manned by new players this fall.

Junior T.J.Vasher enters as the most accomplished Red Raider receiver.  With 1,241 career yards and 13 touchdowns, the 6-foot-4 Wichita Falls native will need to step up this year and be a leader on the field.  If he can be consistent and commit to doing the little things like blocking in the run game and running more precise routes, he could become one of the best to ever play the position at Tech, which is a rather lofty bar.

The only other returning receiver is Seth Collins, who is moving from the slot to his natural outside receiver spot where he will get a shot at replacing Wesley.  The 6-foot-3 senior had 317 yards and two touchdowns last year but he could be in for a better year in 2019 now that he’s back on the outside.

Competing with Collins for snaps will be redshirt freshman Erik Ezukanma.  The former 4-star signee is one of the most talented and physically gifted players in the Red Raider receiving corps.  But with just two career receptions thus far, the Ft. Worth native still has to prove on the field what he is capable of.

In the slot, two veteran newcomers could make a huge impact.  Travis Koontz, the No. 3 JUCO TE in the class of 2019, will man one inside receiver position where he will not only be a weapon in the passing game but help bring another capable blocker to the ground game.

At the other slot position, Nevada transfer McLane Mannix will likely be the starter.  A freshman all-American in 2017, the Midland Native has the most career receiving yards of any player on the roster after putting up 1,653 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first two collegiate seasons.

Look for other players like sophomore KeSean Carter, redshirt freshman Myllar Royals, grad transfer R.J. Turner, and true freshman Trey Cleveland to also see the field some this year.  Each of the players in that group has more than enough talent to contribute but has yet to produce for the Red Raiders.

Ultimately, there is plenty of talent among the Tech receivers for the position group to once again be an elite unit.  However, because of the turnover and position switching amongst the pass-catchers, they rank third of the four groups on this list.