Oklahoma State Football: James Washington is the best deep threat in College Football
The Oklahoma State football program returns one of the most talented offense in the country, featuring star receiver James Washington.
It’s been said more than enough already, the Oklahoma State football team will pose one of the toughest offenses to stop next season. With the return of rising seniors in wide receiver James Washington and quarterback Mason Rudolph, the Cowboys also bring back one of the top QB-WR duos in college football. OK State also has quite the impressive list of receivers returning outside of Washington.
Yet, the discussion point of this article is Washington himself. He’s totaled almost 3,000 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns during his three-year career with the Pokes so far. Quite a few of those receiving yards came by way of 40-plus yard touchdown catches.
Washington averaged at least 19.4 yards per reception in his last two seasons. Moreover, he caught 10 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. Those numbers don’t come without some ability to take the top of of opposing defenses and completely picking apart secondaries.
The 6’0″ and 205 pound receiver was recently ranked by Bleacher Report as the top big play threat in college football in 2017. You would not find many experts and analysts that would disagree with that ranking for Washington.
Alongside players like Rudolph, Freshman All-American running back Justice Hill, athletic receiver Marcell Ateman, and slot receiver Jalen McCleskey, the sky is the limit for what Washington can do next season. With so many other threats for Rudolph to work with, it’s not like opposing defenses can afford to just lock down Washington. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s squad would derail any team that tried that approach.
The 2017 schedule lines up perfectly for Washington to have a big year as well. The season starts against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, who has a strong offense but numerous question marks on defense. The other two out-of-conference matchups comes against the Pittsburgh Panthers and the South Alabama Jaguars. The Jaguars were susceptible to big plays all season last year on defense. Furthermore, Washington had what was likely the best game of his career against Pitt last season when he had 296 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Washington is not only expected to be one of the top big play threats in college football next season, Campus Insiders actually ranked him as the top returning receiver in the nation. Expectations will be through the roof for Washington next season, but he’s never had an issue living up to them.
The future for Washington after his time with the Cowboy football is up is very bright. He’s projected by Walter Football as a first-third round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, similar to Rudolph’s draft stock.
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OK State’s offense will not only be fun to watch next season, but packed with star power as well, making games polarizing for Cowboy fans.