Texas Tech football: Position groups to watch in spring ball

Which wide receivers will step up?

With the departure of Erik Ezukanma for the NFL Draft and Kaylon Geiger to graduation, the Texas Tech football program is suddenly in quite the pickle at wide receiver.  That’s because there are no proven options at that position group.  But this spring will give some young pass-catchers an opportunity to emerge as key contributors.

Right now, no outside receiver on the roster had more than Trey Cleveland’s 11 catches, Loic Fouonji’s 171 yards, or J.J. Sparkman’s two TDs in 2021.  That’s not very reassuring for an offense that wants to push the ball downfield under Kittley.

What’s interesting is that Tech is yet to address the outside WR position through the transfer portal.  Minnesota transfer Brady Boyd joined the program but he is a slot receiver rather than one who will play on the outside.

At one time, the Red Raiders did secure a commitment from Joshua Moore, a Texas transfer.  But he eventually flipped to SMU leaving Tech still searching for answers on the outside.

Look for Fouonji, Sparkman, and Cleveland to get plenty of first-team reps this spring.  Can any of those candidates step forward and prove to be big-time options?

Also, don’t count out redshirt freshman Jerand Bradley, a former 4-star recruit.  Last year, he had five catches for 99 yards in three games.

Tech has not had a 1,000-yard receiver since the 2018 season when Antoine Wesley went off for 1,410 yards, one of the best seasons in Texas Tech football history.  It’s time that this program finds the next star outside receiver who can threaten defenses and demand double coverage.

Is that player on the current roster?  This spring will go a long way towards answering that question.