ESPN Big 12 Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

	Rams Reyna/US Presswire
	It'll be a challenge for Michael Crabtree to eclipse his record-breaking freshman season.

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree doesn't worry what he'll do for an encore after his record-breaking freshman season.

After producing NCAA freshman records of 134 receptions, 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns, Crabtree thinks he can raise his production this year.

"I can do the same thing, if not better during this season," Crabtree said. "I still don't feel that 134 catches was the best I can do. I think I still have a lot to prove to people."

Consider that defensive backs across the Big 12 have been duly warned. Crabtree merely led the nation in all three categories, earning unanimous All-America first-team honors.

"There was no surprise in what I did," said Crabtree, a converted high school quarterback who had never played wide receiver until arriving at college. "It was just a lot of hard work. We went though some things to get ready, but it was a good, strong year for us. And I'm expecting even more this season."

Tech coach Mike Leach can tell a difference in Crabtree after last season. He's come back with a more determined attitude that has been noticeable throughout his work this summer, his coach said.

"He's worked on specific things like his speed and his jumping ability and he's brought a renewed sense of dedication," Leach said. "He's always had that because he's so competitive."

After sitting out his freshman season to get his grades in order, Crabtree started quickly last season. He produced double-digit reception games in each of his four contests, starting with 12 receptions for 106 yards and three touchdowns against SMU in his first college game.

From there, he added a season-best 15 grabs against UTEP and also produced 100-yard receiving games in 11 of his 13 games last season. Crabtree had multi-touchdown games in each of his first six games.

Some of the genesis for that strong start came from his redshirt season, he said.

"It was disappointing to sit out that first season, but I was learning to be patient," Crabtree said. "And I was learning stuff all the time. That first game was so important to me because I had been waiting for it so long. Now, it's like every time I get on the field, I try to build on it."

That notoriety is expected to lead to increased defensive pressure this season. Crabtree is anticipating more double- and triple-team coverages from defenders intent on removing him from Tech's offense.

"I'm expecting to see a lot of that," he said. "But when they do that, I'm also expecting to score with Eddie B [Tech WR Ed Britton] and [Tech WR] Detron [Lewis] and Emo [Tech slot receiver Eric Morris]; all those guys will help us out."

Leach is tinkering with different options to get Crabtree the ball more often in space. He was featured in several plays at a Monday practice where he ran the ball from a direct snap in a single-wing formation. And he's also been used as a kick returner in some practices.

Despite the potential risk of injury, Leach said he's not concerned about using Crabtree on special teams because of his breakaway abilities as a returner.

"We won't hesitate to put him anywhere on special teams where we feel he can help us," Leach said. "There's no bigger exchange of yards than on special teams. So there are not any plays on offense that are any bigger than those."

Crabtree said that expectations are soaring around Lubbock, where the team's ranking in the preseason coaches' poll was its highest in 32 seasons. It made him a little leery to go out in public, retreating to his apartment to relax with his teammates rather than going out at night. 

And while he's a likely top 5 pick in the upcoming NFL draft if he should turn pro, Crabtree is more concerned about another entrepreneurial venture he will start in the next several weeks.

He plans to release his own clothing line that will start on a limited basis on Sept. 14 -- his 21st birthday.

His role model in his venture is Michael Jordan. Crabtree would like his styles to become as mainstream as Air Jordan clothing in the next few years.

While his own clothing choices are Lacoste, True Vision and antique jeans, he hopes to be a little more stylish with his own apparel line.

"I've been into clothes since I was in the seventh grade," Crabtree said. "I worked at a clothing store when I was in high school and my old high school was like a fashion show when I was there. I'm the designer and I want to wear and design clothes that I look good in."