As we continue our “One Key Player” series I’ll take a swing at things with my first article on FFSN.

My name is Jack Bell and I am a class of 2022 Texas Tech Alum. I am the resident baseball specialist for our team, however I love all Tech sports and have been attending Tech sporting events since I was 8 months old. Fast forward 30 years and here we are, about to start the 2023 football campaign.

For this season, I’m taking a hard look at the wideouts and I have picked Jerand Bradley as my one key player to focus on. Bradley is coming off of a 2022 campaign where he grabbed 51 balls for 744 yards and 6 TDs, leading the team in all three categories. Bradley is one of many talented receivers in the group and I think he can be even better this year.

Last year, he split time with guys such as Trey Cleveland and JJ Sparkman. With Cleveland having moved on from the program, It leaves the top three outside receivers to be Bradley, Sparkman, and Loic Fouonji. All three guys have a massive build each at 6’4″ or taller, and all over the 200 pound mark. These are big guys-with speed-that will be giving DBs fits all year.

Just how much can Bradley improve? Well it depends on the health of Tyler Shough. We’ve said it until we are blue in the face, but, Shough’s health is the biggest factor this year. If Shough is healthy slinging the ball around you better believe the 6’5″ sophomore from DeSoto will be a big target for him. Folks, he’s on the Biletnikoff Award watchlist for a reason.

I’m looking for Bradley to have a huge year. I can’t wait to see what Zach Kittley has in store for this offense to get him the ball. With an offense that has an excess of playmaking ability, look for #9 to be filling up that stat sheet all season long.