Coy Eakin Talks Offensive Freedom, Morton's Confidence and a Locked In Texas Tech Team
Texas Tech fourth-year wide receiver Coy Eakin is thriving in Coach Leftwich’s revamped offensive system, one that emphasizes option routes and gives receivers the freedom to adjust mid-play.
“It really frees you up as a player… it’s really your fault being open or not,” Eakin explained. “If he sits inside, break out. Sits outside, break in. Do your thing.”
Eakin has also embraced a move to the slot, where the extra space and quick-hitting opportunities suit his style. It’s a position he says he has never played but did have some experience at in high school when they would slide him inside at times to try and get him loose.
“I love slot. I have so much more room, and I love those screen plays where you just hit it. It’s exciting,” he said.
Eakin added the screen game itself has been revitalized with everyone buying in fully.
“There’s no ahh, we have to do another screen. It’s like, Alright, I’m going to get up and get this block for my teammate so we can go get the ball down the field.”
Eakin’s Thoughts on Behren Morton
Of course none of this matters if someone can’t get Eakin or his fellow pass catchers the ball. Lucky for him, his quarterback is someone Eakin has believed in since the first time he saw him throw a ball.
“When I first came here, I thought Behren had the most talented arm I’ve ever seen in person or online,” Eakin said.
After an offseason surgery, Morton’s confidence and swagger on the field has been clear. Something Eakin himself has absolutely noticed.
“Even if he’s late on a read, he’s going to fit it in a tight window,” continued Eakin. “He trusts his arm when he’s not really even set to throw it….and he can also launch it 80 yards down the field. He’s always been a confident guy but he’s confident in his arm and he knows what his ability is now again.
Benefits Of Going Up Against an “Elite” Defense
A lot of the talk in the offseason has been about the blue chip and stacked talent brought in on the defensive side of the ball. A unit Eakin is enjoying being tested by daily in practice.
He called it an “elite defense.” A unit whose preparation and energy have impressed him just as much as their talent.
“I haven’t seen a defense come in every single day like this—watching extra film, taking care of their bodies, bringing energy every single practice. All 11 people are running to the ball, all 11 want to do better.”
This defense lived up to the team’s mantra of “Take 3” in the scrimmage on Saturday, grabbing two interceptions and forcing a fumble. These didn’t all come against the first team unit but even so Eakin said he doesn’t see turnovers as a reason to panic.
“Sometimes people say it’s a bad ball by the quarterback, but as a receiver it could be the wrong depth of the route, the alignment, the coverage… it’s more than meets the eye.”
He went on to elaborate as to why the competition on defense being so good is forcing them to really focus in on the little things in practice to avoid those mistakes.
“I feel like the offense is on a great track,” expressed Eakin. “We’ve been balling out all fall camp and scoring a lot of points. Like what me and Behren said, it’s just the little things. And once we get those little things, which are very close, we’re on the edge of being a very very good offense. So we can’t read too much into the bad things today, just kind of those details.”
Mindset Change In Year Four Under McGuire
Eakin believes those daily battles, paired with a new level of team-wide commitment, have elevated the program.
“My freshman and sophomore year I was probably our first or second in the building everys single day,” he explained. “Now we’ve got linemen coming in an hour before I do. Everyone’s locked in and loves football.”
Asked what he thinks has changed this year compared to past seasons where the goal has always been to win the Big 12, Eakin answered with the same focus he spoke about throughout his availability.
“When you bring in a new coach, it takes two or three years for a program to get where you want to go. Everyone that came in and everyone that stayed here was all people that bought in—and they just happen to be elite football players.”
Focus, buy in and elite players? That’s a recipe for something special and the team has about three more weeks to let it cook before it’s time to show it on the field.
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