2- Deep:
WR: 1) #6 Devin Lauderdale JR, 2) #88 Ja'Deion High SO
IR: 1) #12 Ian Sadler SO, 2) #83 Brad Pearson SR
IR: 1) #11 Jakeem Grant SR, 2) #80 Cameron Batson SO
WR: 1) #2 Reginald Davis JR or #12 Dylan Cantrell JR
Key Returning Starter:
Jakeem Grant. I know that's the easiest answer and it should be. Grant lead the Red Raiders with 67 catches and 938 yards in 2014. Along with his 67 catches and 938 yards, Grant also hauled in 7 touchdowns. Grant has 164 career catches, 2018 yards and 17 touchdowns. Each year since his freshmen season in 2012, he has increased his catch and receiving yards total. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Grant has a 1000-yard year this year and double digit touchdown catches.
Player To Watch:
Devin Lauderdale. Ever since coming to campus after transferring from Navarro College (JUCO), Lauderdale has showed flashes of his potential. Last season Lauderdale was third on the team with 31 catches and 589 yards. He was also tied with Jakeem Grant in touchdown catches with 7. Lauderdale did lead the team in average yards per catch with an outstanding 19 yards. I think Lauderdale is poised for a break out year. I expect him to lead the team in both yards and touch down receptions. My stat line prediction is 75 catches, 1100 yards, and 13 TDs.
Biggest Question Mark:
Who steps up as the second outside receiver? Grant, Lauderdale and Sadler seem to have solidified their starting spots at their receiving positions. So who will be the second outside receiver, Reginald Davis or Dylan Cantrell? So far, Reginald Davis hasn't lived up to his potential. Davis was a 4-star recruit so expectations were high on him. He could be facing an in-house suspension as well but Kingsbury hasn't disclosed his punishment yet. Cantrell made some spectacular catches last year and showed some chemistry with former high school teammate Patrick Mahomes. This battle for the outside receiver spot will be a good one to watch.
Key Stat:
Texas Tech hasn't had a pair of 1000-yard receivers since 2012 and that was Eric Ward and Darrin Moore. Ward had 1053 yards and Moore had 1032 yards. Before 2012 the last time Tech had two 1000-yard receivers was all the way back in 2007. In 2007, Michael Crabtree and Danny Amendola lead the way. Crabtree racked up 1962 yards (wow) and Amendola had 1245 yards. Now I'm not expecting Crabtree/Amendola type of numbers but I do expect Grant and Lauderdale to join the club as teammates who both go for 1000 yards in the same season.
Next Up:
Clay will check out what the Red Raiders quarterback situation is looking like!
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