T.J. Vasher / Wide Receiver / Texas Tech
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
T.J. Vasher: I am 6’5 and 210 currently.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
T.J. Vasher: Grossetti Performance in Pittsburgh. It is a good place. My teammate was here last year. I also signed with the same agent as him. I felt like this was the best place to be.
Alex Khvatov: When is your scheduled Pro Day?
T.J. Vasher: April 7th.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your training routine right now.
T.J. Vasher: I am working out six days a week for three hours a day. I am doing rehab three times a week because I am coming back from a knee injury.
Alex Khvatov: How good of a basketball player were you in high school?
T.J. Vasher: I was pretty good. I was rated as a top 15 player in the state of Texas at the PG position. I was all-state in basketball. I had a lot of success.
Alex Khvatov: Did you receive any offers to play D-I basketball?
T.J. Vasher: I had a few. Tulsa, SMU, Texas Tech and Boise State. I had a lot of recruitment. Basketball went away when the offers from football kept coming in. I wanted to be great at football and maximize it.
Alex Khvatov: How does your basketball background help you on the football field?
T.J. Vasher: Your body control, steps and releases off the line. You are attacking the ball at the highest point. Basketball and football are really good at helping each other in skill development.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
T.J. Vasher: I played QB as a freshman, and then sophomore year I moved to WR.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
T.J. Vasher: Texas Tech, Ohio State and Ole Miss.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Texas Tech?
T.J. Vasher: I felt like this was the best place for me. I could come in and play early. I can catch a lot of balls in this offense and play in the Big 12. My uncle played at Texas. I grew up around the Big 12 atmosphere. Tech gave me that chance. I spent two years under Kliff Kingsbury.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall career?
T.J. Vasher: Individually, I had a good career. It was not everything that I wanted. I wanted 1,000-yard seasons at Texas Tech. I learned a lot. I was around great coaches. I never got to accomplish the Big 12 championship. We definitely had the talent for it. I am happy with the experience.
Alex Khvatov: You were suspended for a couple of games for team violations in 2019. Have you matured and gotten past those issues?
T.J. Vasher: Those were the old days. I didn’t have anything come up in 2020. I matured. I became a dad. Lots of things changed for me.
Alex Khvatov: How has fatherhood changed your outlook on life?
T.J. Vasher: Anything and everything is bigger than me now. It is not just about me. I have to take that under consideration. I have someone who depends on me.
Alex Khvatov: You are in the top 10 for career receiving TD’s at Texas Tech. What does that mean to you?
T.J. Vasher: It means a lot. We have had great receivers who have come through this school like Crabtree and Eric Wood. It is great to be in the same conversation as those other great players. I left a stamp at the school.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
T.J. Vasher: I am a big play guy. I make a lot of play downfield. I am also a red zone threat. I am a dependable guy for the QB.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
T.J. Vasher: Putting the weight on. Getting bigger and more physical, lots of things will come with it. I will become more dominant in the blocking game. I weighed in at about 185 pounds at CGS. I am up to 210 pounds right now. I have gained 25 pounds.
Alex Khvatov: What is your secret diet right now that has helped you gain that weight?
T.J. Vasher: I am a big egg guy. I can fix five or six eggs a day. I love bacon. Water intake is big. I am also a pasta guy. The diet is high in calories and all about protein powder. I am taking eating seriously. I am also in the weight room six days a week.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about the College Gridiron Showcase all-star game in Texas.
T.J. Vasher: It was great. I wasn’t able to do the workouts because I was recovering from an injury. I was able to do the interview process. Getting to mingle with different guys. They taught us a lot of different information. It was a great opportunity.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
T.J. Vasher: My favorite game and team win was when we played Texas. It was coach Kingsbury’s last year. I made a couple of good catches. We got the win that made us bowl eligible. It was one of the best games I ever played.
Alex Khvatov: Did you always have a chip on your shoulder playing against the Longhorns?
T.J. Vasher: Texas is that school in the state. I wanted to play for the team growing up. That was big for me because my uncle played there. I always took that game to heart. I took it more personally.
Alex Khvatov: Which Big 12 team had the toughest defense?
T.J. Vasher: OU always brings a talented team. Big 12 has a lot of talent. Scheme wise, Iowa State was an issue for us. They played very good defense. They dropped eight players in coverage.
Alex Khvatov: Your uncle, Nathan Vasher, played cornerback for the Bears. What advice has he given you about the NFL?
T.J. Vasher: He always told me to stay humble and be respectful. Keep that chip on your shoulder and stay hungry.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
T.J. Vasher: Commitment on the field and off the field. Also team camaraderie. Getting along with teammates.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
T.J. Vasher: Growing up, my uncle was with the Bears. He played with a lot of great players. I was a fan of the Bears growing up. After he left, I just became a fan of the game.
Alex Khvatov: Who do you watch film on?
T.J. Vasher: I incorporate a lot of different players. I watch Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones and A.J. Green. They are bigger receivers. I like to watch receivers like Davante Adams and Stefon Diggs because of their route running.
Alex Khvatov: Which NFL WR would you compare yourself to in terms of your style of play?
T.J. Vasher: I closely resemble A.J. Green in terms of his size and height.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye out for next season?
T.J. Vasher: WR Erik Ezukanma should have a big year next season. RB SaRodorick Thompson and slot WR Myles Price got a lot of playing time as a freshman.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the toughest CB that you have faced on an opposing team?
T.J. Vasher: Duke Shelley from Kansas State. He was fast and played physical. His teammate D.J. Reed was a good player who played opposite of him.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best teammate you played with?
T.J. Vasher: During my freshman year, it was Pat Mahomes. We rallied around him. He is a cool guy off the field. He was that guy for us.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a WR?
T.J. Vasher: Coach Jones always talked to me about being a guy that a QB could rely on. It is the biggest trait for a WR. Being a big play guy or a reliable target on third down for your QB.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
T.J. Vasher: Team camaraderie. You have lots of guys from different backgrounds. It is a brotherhood. We do things on and off the field.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
T.J. Vasher: I really enjoy bowling and playing video games.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
T.J. Vasher: I majored in university studies at Tech. I want to give back to the youth especially where I am from. I was surrounded by good people growing up. I want to train or coach the youth. We finally got an indoor facility at our local YMCA in my town.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
T.J. Vasher: My personality. I am more than just an athlete. I was raised by my parents the right away off the field.
Alex Khvatov: What is it like being a part of a big family?
T.J. Vasher: I have three brothers and three sisters. I love being a big brother to them. Getting into college and setting the standard. They look up to me.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
T.J. Vasher: Respectful, hardworking, caring, genuine, and family-oriented.
