Texas Tech football: Five players that will be wildcards this season

WR T.J. Vasher

Senior WR T.J. Vasher may be the biggest enigma on the 2020 Texas Tech football roster.  And whether or not he is able to finally put it all together this fall is going to be one of the season’s most intriguing storylines.

There’s no question of the Wichita Falls native’s physical talents.  That’s because the 6-foot-6 former 4-star recruit has made enough highlight-reel plays in his career to prove that he’s got all the skills needed to be a fantastic weapon.

But it has been what is between his ears that is holding him back.  In fact, that’s holding him back as we speak.

Vasher has yet to work out with his team thus far in fall camp as he continues to try to get his grades in order.  This continues a troubling trend of minor off-field missteps that have accumulated throughout his time in Lubbock, spanning two coaching regimes and causing fans to grow weary.

For instance, last year he was suspended for two games due to an unspecified violation of team rules.  Is he back on that type of track already in 2020?  It wouldn’t be crazy to fear so.

What’s frustrating about Vasher is that he’s never taken his game to a new level after a nice redshirt freshman year that saw him put up 545 yards and 6 TDs.  Since then, he’s yet to surpass the 700-yard mark and he’s not pulled in more than 7 scores.

In the spring, Matt Wells praised Vasher’s work in the offseason and credited that to his improved maturity.   But that appears to have gone out the window during the pandemic.

There’s still time for Vasher to get his act together academically and join his team in time to make a huge impact this year thanks to the extended fall camp.  If he does, he could be in for the best year of his time as a Red Raider.

However, if he doesn’t, there are players like senior Seth Collins and true freshman Loic Fouonji ready to step in and make their own mark in his place.  So keep an eye on Vasher in August and early September because before Tech even plays a game, his season could take a significant turn due to what happens off the field.