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Texas Tech football: Sophomores that are primed to make a big jump in 2020

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson of the Texas Tech Red Raiders oversees warmups as linebackers Tyrique Matthews #32 and Xavier Benson #37 warm up before the college football game against the Iowa State Cyclones on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson of the Texas Tech Red Raiders oversees warmups as linebackers Tyrique Matthews #32 and Xavier Benson #37 warm up before the college football game against the Iowa State Cyclones on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Wide receiver Xavier White #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Wide receiver Xavier White #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

WR Xavier White

There were no true freshmen on the offensive side of the ball that made any type of impact last season.  But one player who will be a redshirt sophomore in 2020, Xavier White, was one his way to a breakout year as a 2019 signee before an injury cut his season short.

Now, he’s a redshirt sophomore and he could be an impact player at inside receiver in 2020.  That would make the home fans incredibly happy given that White is a local kid.

The former Monterey Plainsman walked on last summer after a season at Dodge City Community College and was a virtual unknown until Matt Wells began talking about his emergence in fall camp.   And in his Red Raider debut, White made quite the impact.

Against Montana State in the season opener, the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder was Tech’s leading receiver with five catches for 105 yards and a TD.  But for the rest of the season, he would register just give more receptions for 54 yards.

However, White showed in limited action that he belongs at the Big 12 level.  Now, he could be ready to bring some much-needed explosiveness to the offense after averaging 15.9 yards per catch last season.

There is a ton of competition at inside receiver this year and the fact that Tech now has a tight end on the field virtually every play means that snaps are more limited for the numerous players at that position.  White will have to beat out players like McLane Mannix, Dalton Rigdon, and KeSean Carter to get his share of playing time this fall but given what we saw from him last year in three games, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if that’s what he does.

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