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Texas Tech football: Five boom or bust players in 2020

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: The Texas Tech Red Raiders take the field before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on September 29, 2016 at AT&T Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 55-19. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: The Texas Tech Red Raiders take the field before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on September 29, 2016 at AT&T Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 55-19. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Wide receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
Wide receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

T.J. Vahser

T.J. Vasher has one final opportunity to become the player that we always expected him to be.  If he can break out this year, he could play his way into the NFL Draft but if he once again fails to put it all together, he will go down as one of the most frustrating players in the recent history of Texas Tech football.

The question with Vasher has always been his maturity.  His numerous highlight-reel catches are indicators of his amazing talent and when you combine that with a 6-foot-6 frame and a basketball background, he’s got all the prerequisites for stardom.

Yet the results haven’t been there.  Thus far, his best season in terms of yardage was 2018 when he had 687.  Also, he’s never had more than the 7 TDs he came up with last year.

Let’s not chalk that up to the QB either.  Though he did have to play through two of the most tumultuous seasons in regard to QB chaos in program history, he shouldn’t be given a pass for failing to produce.  After all, in 2018, Antoine Wesley had 1,410 yards while catching passes from three different starting QBs.

At times, it has been on-field issues like drops and poor route running that have been his downfall.  At other times, it has been maturity as was the case last season when he was suspended for two games for an unspecified violation of team rules.

But at the start of this year’s abbreviated spring practice period, Wells was quick to praise Vasher’s improved maturity and that gives us hope that he’s ready to finally put it all together.  And Tech desperately needs him to do so.

Though there is optimism about what sophomore Erik Ezukanma might become after leading the team last season with 664 yards, he’s far from a proven star and Vasher himself taught us that a promising redshirt freshman season doesn’t always guarantee a breakout sophomore campaign.  What’s more, no player on the Red Raider roster has ever had more than 875 yards receiving in a season.

Therefore, it would be ideal if Tech’s senior outside receiver would finally realize the type of potential he’s flashed for three years.  If he doesn’t, it will be a disappointing end to a career that could have been so much better than it proved to be.

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