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Texas Tech football: Players that must step up in 2021

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Defensive lineman Tyree Wilson #19 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders gestures before the college football game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Defensive lineman Tyree Wilson #19 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders gestures before the college football game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Sep 12, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Trey Cleveland (85) looks for running room against Houston Baptist Huskies safety Isaiah Cash (3) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Trey Cleveland (85) looks for running room against Houston Baptist Huskies safety Isaiah Cash (3) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

WR Trey Cleveland

Another player who is participating in a hotly contested battle for playing time is outside receiver Trey Cleveland.  Now in his third season in the program, it’s time for the Arlington, Texas native to step forward and become a key contributor.

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Currently, Cleveland is in a fight with Troy transfer Kaylon Geiger for the starting spot at the “X” receiver and according to head coach Matt Wells, the two are “50-50” at this point.  But regardless of who wins the starting job, one of those two players is going to have to prove to be a threat on the outside opposite of Erik Ezukanma, Tech’s best weapon in the passing game.

Cleveland is a player who has all the physical tools necessary for success.  At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, he could be a mismatch on the outside, especially in the red zone.

But so far, Cleveland has not had a breakout as a Red Raider.  After redshirting in 2019, he caught just eight passes for 81 yards and one TD in 2020.

Still, this year there is a job to be won and he is a key contender.  And it feels as if it is now or never for Cleveland to become a mainstay on the Red Raider offense.

That’s because there is quite a bit of talent pushing for that role.  Tech also has former 4-star signees Loic Fouonji from Midland and Jerand Bradley from Plano as well as massive redshirt freshman J.J. Sparkman also on the roster and chomping at the bit to crack the two-deep.

It will be interesting to see how this position battle shakes out and it is likely that the competition will continue after the season has begun.  But Cleveland has more experience at Tech than any other WR competitor and that needs to start to pay dividends this year.  If it doesn’t, he could find himself passed over by other wide receivers.

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