If Saturday was the last home game tight end Jace Amaro plays at Texas Tech, it was anything but a pleasant memory to go out on.
The Red Raiders were demolished by Kansas State, 49-26, with Amaro again giving mixed signals about whether he will return for his final season of eligibility. Asked after the game if it was his last time playing in Lubbock, Texas, Amaro told reporters, "You know, I don't think so. I just love this place."
That doesn't exactly mesh with what Amaro tweeted on Thursday.
Then again, Amaro seemed genuinely conflicted in an interview with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, despite an immensely productive junior season during which he has positioned himself as one of the top tight ends possibly available for the 2014 NFL Draft.
Amaro leads the Big 12 with 88 receptions for 1,102 yards and four touchdowns, including nine catches for 67 yards against the Wildcats. Spending most of his time as an inside receiver in the Texas Tech Air Raid spread passing offense, the 6-foot-5 and 260-pound Amaro projects favorably as a "Joker" or moving tight end at the next level.
But even as he shows off an NFL skill set, Amaro admitted he might not be ready for everything else required of a professional.
"I don't know if I'm ready to not just be a regular kid," Amaro said. "Maybe I want to just kind of play it out and we'll see what happens. I know my idea is to stay here all four years. That's the plan right now, and we'll just see what happens at the end of this season."
If Amaro does return to Texas Tech next season, he would again be the undisputed centerpiece of a prolific aerial attack, with a chance to go out on a more favorable note in his home finale.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
