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Texas Tech Football: 3 unexpected breakout players in 2023

By Maitland Rutledge

Oct 7, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Coy Eakin (8) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Coy Eakin (8) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /
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Coy Eakin has been Texas Tech’s breakout receiver

Coy Eakin Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s wide receiver Coy Eakin (8) runs with the ball against TCU in a Big 12 football game, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium. /

This season marked another where the Red Raiders failed to have a 1,000-yard receiver. With three quarterbacks taking snaps this year, the offense under Zach Kittley struggled outside of Tahj Brooks running his way to a 1,000-yard season. However, redshirt freshman Coy Eakin stepped up when the offense needed clutch catches.

With guys like Jerand Bradley and Myles Price returning for this season, Eakin was an afterthought. That was especially true when he suffered a collarbone injury in camp. He missed the first three games. However, Behren Morton continued to feed him when he found separation, something the receivers continue to struggle with at times. Most of Eakin’s receptions came on quick comeback routes. They might not have gone the distance, but they sustained drives often late in games that made it possible for Tech to win three of their last four games.

He registered one catch against West Virginia, then pulled in two against Baylor including his first touchdown. While that remained his only score of the season, he had a career-high 102 receiving yards against Kansas State and 78 in a critical game against TCU. For the year he finished with 310 yards on 29 catches, putting him at fourth on the team in receiving.

Receiver is likely one of the positions Tech will look to upgrade via the transfer portal, but Eakin has been a bright spot for a group that has struggled this season. He might not have the size of Brandley or be a burner like Drae McCray, but consistent hands will keep Eakin involved in this offense in 2024.

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