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Texas Tech football: Three Oklahoma offensive weapons to know

By Matthew Conner

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: Head Coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during warmups before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 70-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: Head Coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during warmups before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 70-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

TE Grant Calcaterra

Even when teams manage to slow down Lamb and Rambo, Hurts can look over the middle where one of the nation’s best tight ends is constantly creating matchup problems.  6-foot-4, 233-pound Grant Calcaterra has only four catches for 60 yards this yeat but that’s more of a product of the fact that the Sooners have not had to throw the ball much in their three blowout wins.

Last year, he caught 26 passes for 396 yards and six scores.  And keep an eye on him in the red zone where tight ends often pay the biggest dividends.  Of course, it’s rather tough to force OU into a red zone possession given how many huge scoring plays they hit each game.

The junior is the type of tight end Texas Tech OC David Yost would love to eventually have in his offense.  Strong enough to block in the running game and fast enough to get open in the slot, he is the prototype for the new-age spread offense TE.

If there’s a knock on Calcaterra, it may be that he does not have top-end speed like former Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro.  Rather, he’s a skilled route runner with tremendous hands who can be a terror on contested balls.  He is also adept at using his size to box out defenders almost like he’s grabbing a rebound.

Many believe that he could leave Norman this year and declare for the 2020 NFL Draft if he has a solid season.  He will provide Tech with the type of test they’ve yet to see from the TE position and it will be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Keith Patterson elects to cover him with a guy like Evan Rambo at the spur position, who should have enough athleticism to keep up with him but may give up some size, or an outside LB like Riko Jeffers.  Patterson may also stick a bigger corner like Des Smith on him at times.

Calcaterra is a unique weapon in the Big 12.  But keep an eye not only on how he performs against the Red Raiders but also how the Sooners utilize him because this is what we all hope the Texas Tech tight end position eventually evolves into.

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