Film Study: Antoine Wesley is the Red Raiders’ Big Receiving Weapon

Although the Oklahoma State Cowboy defense has performed well through three games, they prepare to play the third-highest scoring offense in the country on Saturday. The Texas Tech Red Raiders yet again have a potent passing game, led by freshman quarterback Alan Bowman.

Part of why Bowman has had so much success is his wide receiving corps., led by 6-5 junior Antoine Wesley. The Las Vegas native is Texas Tech’s receiving leader and is coming off a 260-yard receiving performance against Houston. Wesley was mostly a rotational receiver last year, but he’s flourished into the Red Raiders’ No. 1 option.

Wesley scored three touchdowns last Saturday against the Cougars, all in a different fashion. His first score came off a 54-yard run after the catch on the far sideline. Wesley has surprising speed for such a big frame, but he broke off a similar touchdown run against Lamar.

The second touchdown came off a deep post route in tight coverage off play action. Wesley has an uncanny ability to use his body to shield the defender away from the catch.

Wesley’s final touchdown came in the red zone. Wesley ran a sluggo, faking the inside cut before breaking to the corner of the end zone.

Wesley is averaging a gaudy 18 yards per reception. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will have his hands full trying to minimize Wesley’s effectiveness. Knowles will have to be selective on when he puts Wesley in single-man coverage, because his body size and catch radius make him a mismatch against most conference corners.

But if the Cowboys can find a way to limit the big receiver, they’ll have an opportunity to force Bowman to sit in the pocket longer and rattle him with their pass rush.