T.J. Vasher 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’-6”
Weight: 215 pounds
School: Texas Tech
T.J. Vasher 2021 NFL Draft Profile
From S.H. Rider High School in his hometown, Wichita Falls, Texas, T.J. Vasher was a highlight sought four-star recruit with offers from a college football powerhouse in Ohio State and other solid programs, like Houston, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech. The 66th ranked receiver in the 2016 class, Vasher ultimately chose to play for Kliff Kingsberry and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
For Vasher, he had a freshman season that he would like to forget in Lubbock. He appeared in just one game, against Stephen F. Austin, catching two passes for just nine yards. The following week, he injured his knee, missing the rest of the season. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury also pointed to concerns about Vasher’s maturity, “his [Vasher] approach isn’t where it needs to be, or anywhere close. Physically, he’s very gifted, but he’s got to grow up.”
Entering his redshirt freshman season, Vasher played well with more opportunities and playing time as he found himself starting by season’s end. He caught 29 passes for 545 yards, finding the end zone on six occasions. Vasher came onto the scene in Week 3 in the 2017 season (redshirt freshman), where he caught two passes, both touchdowns, for 113 yards in a loss against West Virginia. His other 100-yard game came at Texas, where he caught five passes, for the third time that season, for 127 yards and a score. Most importantly, Vasher flashed the elite ball skills which made him such a highly-touted recruit, such as this touchdown against West Virginia.
Are you serious, T.J. Vasher?! The Texas Tech freshman makes a RIDICULOUS catch for the Red Raider touchdown! #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/gvlkvryfd5
— Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@dctf) October 14, 2017
The expectations were astronomical for Vasher entering 2018. While Vasher didn’t have the prototypical breakout season, he almost doubled his catches, with 54, and added 142 yards to his 2017 totals, with 687. Although Vasher was relatively consistent, posting at least 50 receiving yards in all but two games, he didn’t have that “dominant” type game that he is capable of playing given his athletic traits. But, adding to his highlight-reel. Vasher made this absolutely ridiculous catch against Ole Miss.
T.J. Vasher channeling OBJ for an INSTANT #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/2s1AbA3HxC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 1, 2018
After being the third receiver in 2018, Vasher was the center of attention heading into his junior season. There were whispers of him potentially being a day two pick in the NFL Draft if he built upon his solid sophomore season. In fact, it was almost the polar opposite of what Vasher wanted and expected. Not only did his production dip, with 12 fewer catches and 172 fewer yards, but Vasher also struggled with off-the-field issues. He was suspended for two games and sat out of another for team violations. While he continued to flash excellence, including a 110-yard game against Oklahoma State, Vasher still didn’t become that bonafide “wide receiver one” that many hoped that he would become. Returning in his senior season, Vasher continued his slide, catching just 19 balls, leading to him getting benched.
As a whole, T.J. Vasher flashed legitimate NFL Draft skills throughout his college career at Texas Tech. His ball skills were excellent and his vertical ability and catch radius were some of the best in college football. However, the issues for Vasher lied before the ball arrived. He doesn’t have solid route-running skills and his physicality at the line of scrimmage was also underwhelming, especially given his frame.
Strengths
- Elite jump ball threat, with a 37-inch vertical and excellent catch radius at 6’-6’’;
- Could be a legitimate weapon in the red zone for teams early in his NFL career;
- Reliable hands in both open and contested situations;
- Has one of the highest upsides of any potential Day Three pick in the draft;
- While he doesn’t possess elite speed, he runs well for his size, most likely in 4.5-4.6 range if he ran a 40-yard dash at pro day;
- Potential to become a solid run blocker if he fills out into his 6’-6’’ frame.
Weaknesses
- Lacks the ability to get separation, whether that be route running or physicality;
- Struggled to translate talent to on the field production;
- Potential off the field issues with suspensions, although head coach Matt Wells seemed impressed with Vasher following the 2019 season;
- Could have trouble with an NFL offense, coming from the Air Raid at Texas Tech;
- On the light side for his height, which is evident in his current run-blocking abilities.
NFL Comparison: Antonio Gandy-Golden
Teams with a Need at Wide Receiver: New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Football Team, Houston Texans
Projection: 4th-6th Round
Bottom Line on T.J. Vasher
While T.J. Vasher has the traits that would put him in the conversation for a second or third-round pick, he has yet to put the entire package together at the wide receiver position. He has shown flashes of dominance when the ball is in the air, but consistency and lack of separation will be the determining factors at the next level. There are many players in recent years who were in Vasher’s mold, like Dorial Green-Beckham, Hakeem Butler, and Antonio Gandy-Golden. But, Vasher had a higher vertical jump than each of those wide receivers, highlighting his freakish athleticism. A team like the New York Giants could be intriguing for Vasher as they could give Daniel Jones another weapon in the red zone, along with Kenny Golladay.
In a solid wide receiver’s class, Vasher will almost certainly be a day three pick and it wouldn’t be surprising for Vasher to hit the undrafted free agency pool. But, Vasher could contribute on the field in his rookie season in red zone sets or on special teams. If he finds himself in the right situation, then Vasher might be able to put the tools together and be a solid NFL receiver.
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