Preview: Tech has logjam at WR
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Health the concern at RB
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It may not seem that way by glancing at the stat book from last season, but
Texas Tech's receiving corps will be a strong point for the team this fall. The
Red Raiders are a legitimate 10-12 players deep and, most importantly, are close
to full health heading into fall camp.
Tech returns three starters in Darrin Moore, Alex Torres and
Eric Ward who registered over 500 receiving yards a year ago.
"We're solid with our receivers," quarterback Seth Doege said. "We have
some of the best receivers in the country. Eric Ward is coming back and is very
explosive, but we also have Darrin Moore, Marcus Kennard and
Javon Bell on the outside. They're all really talented and could be the No. 1 guy
almost anywhere else. We have a bunch of guys on the outside that can really
make plays.
Austin Zouzalik and Alex Torres from injuries. They're both really dependable
guys. Then we have Tyson Williams. And then we have tight end
Jace Amaro. I could go on forever. Jace has had a great summer, he's 6-foot-6,
260 pounds and can run.
"We also have two midgets that can really scat around. The list goes on forever
and I can go on and on. As a quarterback, there's unlimited guys we can get the
ball to."
Ward led the Red Raiders in all major receiving categories last season,
including receptions (84), yards (800) and caught 11 of Doege's 28 touchdown
passes.
The 6-foot, 203-pound receiver is respected for his physicality in the run game
as well as his hands.
"I'm physical and the defense doesn't like that because they're used to pushing
the offense around," Ward said. "The defense isn't used to getting hit the same
way they hit you. On top of that, I have a great surge off the line and can
catch the long ball.
"I feel like the best receivers have to do it all, including blocking. It's
important to help your teammates out by sacrificing your body to end a
defender's pursuit on the play. I want them to block for me and I'll always
block for them."
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Ward says he wants to break 1,000 receiving yards this season, but Moore might
give him a run for his money.
Moore was on pace for a monster season -- he caught 21 passes for 339 yards and
four scores in Tech's first two games -- but sustained a serious leg injury in
the third game of the season and was never quite the same. Still, Moore finished
2011 with 571 receiving yards, which was third-best on the team behind Ward and
Torres (616 yards).
Torres is coming off of a torn ACL injury but should be healthy and at full
speed by Sept. 1.
Wideout Derek Edwards joins the mix on the outside after redshirting
last season. With Ward missing most of the spring due to bruised ribs, Edwards
received a lot of quality reps and took full advantage of the opportunity.
Amaro, who had a limited role last season, should give the Red Raiders a good
big play threat down the middle. He seemed much more polished this spring and
should be much more effective this fall.
Jakeem Grant and Javares McRoy, neither taller than 5-foot-7,
are the players Doege referred to as midgets. While small in stature, Grant and
McRoy both have plus speed and a lot of wiggle.
NEW FACES: U.S. Army All-American Dominique Wheeler and
Texas 1A State Champion athlete Reginald Davis joined the Red Raiders this summer and are all
expected to redshirt this fall.
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Look for Wheeler and Davis to contribute as redshirt freshmen in 2013 and
continue a tradition of very strong receiver units into the future.
PRESSURE IS ON: Tyson Williams. Because of the depth that the
Red Raiders enjoy at receiver, there really isn't any single player that's
facing an 'under the gun' situation. Williams may be feeling more pressure than
his peers because of the fact that, by transferring from West Texas A&M to Tech
after the 2009 season, he effectively forfeited his second-to-last season of
collegiate eligibility in order to prove himself on a bigger stage. Williams got
the opportunity and now, after a year of waiting, he has to prove that the
gamble was worth it.
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Tech's depth make up for a lack of a
dominant, No. 1 receiver? Will that kind of all-conference type player --
perhaps Darrin Moore -- emerge this season?
