Texas Football: 3 problematic Red Raiders for the Longhorns

2) Problematic Red Raiders for Texas football: TJ Vasher

There’s not many more potent threats at the wide receiver position in the Big 12 this fall, that is still somehow flying under the radar, than Texas Tech’s senior star TJ Vasher. This towering 6-foot-6 and 215 pound outside receiver had a solid, but not too flashy, season opener in Texas Tech’s narrow two-point win over Houston Baptist.

In the opener, Vasher registered eight catches for 79 yards, and no receiving touchdowns. The 47 yards after catch for Vasher in the opener looks great, but he also fumbled once. He also racked up his first drop of the season, which isn’t a good look. Vasher had some drop problems in the past, and he just got the 15th of his career.

However, Vasher can also break a game wide open in the blink of an eye. He’s close to getting the 20th touchdown catch of his career, and he’s almost at the 2,000-yard mark. Given his gifted physical tools, Vasher is sure to be a highly touted early-to-middle round pick come the 2021 NFL Draft (if he declares following the 2020 season).

Where Texas can take advantage of the matchup against Vasher is stay tight on him with a faster defensive back like junior corner D’shawn Jamison, as long as he can stay physical. Vasher had problems dropping the ball in the past, and his ability to rack up yards after the catch come and go. Stay in front of him and maybe the Longhorns can even draw another turnover off of him.