Texas Tech football: What we still need to find out after non-conference play

Which young receiver is going to step up?

Another question that is yet to be answered centers on the young Texas Tech outside receivers.  Specifically, we still don’t know who is going to step up from the group that includes Loic Fouonji, Jerand Bradley, Trey Cleveland, and J.J. Sparkman.

Through three games, Bradley and Fouonji lead the way with 172 and 168 yards respectively.  Also, both have found the endzone twice thus far.

However, neither has stepped up to take over a game the way a guy like Erik Ezukanma did at times in the past few seasons.  In fact, Bradley has had only 64 yards total against FBS teams this year while Fouonji has had just 58.

What’s more, all four of their combined touchdowns came in the season opener against FCS opponent Murray State.  That simply isn’t going to cut it.

Meanwhile, the inside receivers aren’t necessarily lighting the world on fire either.  Myles Price has only 167 yards through three games which would put him on pace for just 668 yards in the regular season, well below my preseason projection of 1,000 yards or more for the dynamic junior.

Part of the problem with Tech’s lack of offensive identity is that none of the receivers have stepped forward to lay claim to being this team’s alpha male.  That’s disappointing given the glut of candidates that we thought were on the roster we the season began.

Of course, some may suggest that the QB play has held the receivers back and that’s a valid point.  But at some juncture of the season, one of the young receivers is going to have to start to prove that he’s ready to lead this offense.  If that doesn’t happen, Tech’s woes with the football will only continue.