Raiders’ Jack Bech to Face Former LSU Teammate Brian Thomas Jr. in Sunday’s Matchup

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Jack Bech is set to compete against Jacksonville Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. this Sunday, rekindling a collegiate rivalry from their time together at LSU.

Bech has seen an increased role within the Raiders’ offense throughout his rookie season, progressing from 30 total snaps in his first four games to 104 in the last three. “Just coming in here each and every day, putting the head down and getting to work,” Bech said. “Understanding the playbook and the defenses we’re playing but I think at the end of the day just coming in here … trying to get one percent better each day.” This increased playing time comes as the Raiders look to bolster their receiving corps as they navigate a competitive AFC West.

Thomas, the Jaguars’ first-round pick in 2024, has already made a significant impact in the NFL, recording 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during his rookie campaign. He previously had a strong performance against the Raiders last year in Allegiant Stadium, with nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. With Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley currently sidelined, Thomas is expected to take on an even larger role in the offense. Bech described Thomas as “one of the best, young wideouts in this league,” adding, “Super explosive, big, long, lengthy, fast and strong. He’s got everything in the game you’d want as a receiver. We’ve had a lot of great memories at LSU so it’s definitely going to be fun to strap it up and play these boys this weekend.” You can find more information about the Jacksonville Jaguars on the official NFL website.

The game is scheduled for Sunday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Team officials stated they anticipate a challenging contest against a strong Jaguars team, and are focused on executing their game plan effectively. For more on the Raiders, visit Raiders.com.