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Texas Tech football: Players that might surprise 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 Xavier White #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs with the football after a reception against safety Scottie Young Jr. #6 of the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Wide receiver Xavier White #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders runs with the football after a reception against safety Scottie Young Jr. #6 of the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Xavier White will get touches

It might seem odd for a player most assume will be the fourth-string running back when the season opens to find his way onto this list but there will be touches for Xavier White this year.  If he makes the most of them, he could turn quite a few heads.

In case you’ve forgotten about this great story from last fall, White is a Monterey H.S. alum who walked on last summer and quickly worked his way into the mix at inside receiver.  In fact, in the season-opener, he was Tech’s leading receiver with 5 catches for 107 yards and a TD.

But an injury cost him the final eight games of 2019 and during that time, he went from a great story to a forgotten name for most fans.  But he could re-emerge this year as a jack of all trades.

He’s officially moved to running back but he won’t be used in the traditional way that most RBs are.  He could find himself in a role as a third-down option where his pass-catching background will be utilized to create mismatches and he could be a player that Tech wants to get the ball to in space on screen passes and fly sweeps.

Also, he is in play for one of the kick return jobs and that might be a huge opportunity for him.  He has the hands to do that and his explosiveness in the open field might make him an ideal candidate.

But what may prevent him from truly carving out a huge role this year is the presence of Alabama transfer Chadarius Townsend, who is essentially the same type of RB.  But look for White to get some opportunities in the offense and don’t be surprised if he makes something happen this fall similar to how he did last year when he came out of nowhere as a walk-on.

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