Sep 12, 2013; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Jace Amaro (22) rushes after a catch against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter at Jones AT
During Arizona State’s preparations for meeting Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl, one name has stuck in the minds of Sun Devil coaches: Jace Amaro. A 6-foot-5, 260-pound junior, Amaro has 98 receptions for 1,240 yards and seven touchdowns this season, playing mostly as a slot receiver in the Red Raiders’ pass-happy Air Raid spread offense.
Amaro is a unanimous All-American and figures to be a first-round NFL draft pick. According to some pro football scouts, he is a complete player with the upside to develop into an All-Pro with similar strengths as Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. Amaro possesses an exceptional combination of size, strength and speed, frequently drawing double teams and presenting match-up nightmares for opponents’ defensive coordinators.
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Amaro has had over 100 yards receiving in five games this season—including four straight games over the century mark. He has also had multiple receiving touchdowns in two games. His 1,240 receiving yards marks the most by a Red Raider since Michael Crabtree had 1,165 in 2008 when he won his second straight Biletnikoff Award. Amaro tied a school record with nine consecutive games making at least eight receptions. HIs 98 receptions are the most by a tight end in the country.
During the 2013 campaign, Amaro grabbed four receptions for 55 yards and tied a career-high with two touchdowns against No. 4 Baylor at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He also made nine catches for 67 yards against Kansas State and had a career game with 15 receptions, 174 receiving yards and a touchdown catch against No. 12 Oklahoma State.