The receivers
The receiving group is the biggest question mark on the team. The returning leading receiver from 2019 has said that he won’t play in 2020. The hope is that he has a change of heart and does in fact suit up. Brennan Eagles comes in with 522 yards and six touchdowns. Provided he plays, it isn’t farfetched to think he challenges 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns in 2020. His workload and opportunities will increase.
On the other side the expectation is that Tarik Black will handle the duties as the “Z” receiver. Black transferred from Michigan after a disappointing start to his collegiate career. Black had his most productive season last year with 25 receptions for 323 yards and one touchdown. In a new system with an upgrade at quarterback, hopefully the former four-star recruit reaches his potential.
Commanding the slot roles will be Jake Smith and Whittington. Smith finished second on the team with six touchdowns along with Eagles. He was also fourth in yards. Smith will likely see a bump in production with Devin Duvernay moving on. Yurcich will have some options with how he wants to deploy his pass catchers.
In his last three seasons at Oklahoma State, his offense produced at least one 1,000 yard receiver. During the 2017 season, Yurcich had two of them to go along with a 1,000 yard back and a 4,000 yard quarterback. If the Longhorns can get that sort of production, it should be a no-brainer that they are scoring 45 points a game as Yurcich wants.