Football
Can Justice Hill Win the Freshman Rushing Crown?
Justice Hill has accomplished a lot in his first year with the Cowboys. He’s set a new record for freshman rushing yards at 1,042 (and counting). He’s been the first 1,000-yard rusher at the school in four years (Randle in 2012) and just the eighth Big 12 freshman to reach the same mark.
He’s also won the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and AP Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, as well as being named to the All-Big 12 second team.
Congrats to our very own Justice Hill, the 2016 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year! #okstate https://t.co/S15CrbLLOg
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 7, 2016
But could he lead all freshman rushers for 2016? It’s not out of the question.
Let’s look at the three freshmen ahead of him.
Mike Weber – Ohio State – Next Game: Fiesta Bowl vs. Clemson
- 1,072 yards / 6.06 yards per carry / 9 touchdowns / 89.33 yards per game
Damarea Crockett – Mizzou – Next Game: Season has ended
- 1,062 yards / 6.94 yards per carry / 10 touchdowns / 96.55 yards per game
Benjamin Snell, Jr. – Kentucky – Next Game: Taxslayer Bowl vs. Georgia Tech
- 1,057 yards / 5.91 yards per carry / 13 touchdowns / 88.08 yards per game
Justice – Oklahoma State – Next Game: Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Colorado
- 1,042 yards / 5.57 yards per carry / 5 touchdowns / 86.83 yards per game
So Hill is only 30 yards shy of the leader, Mike Weber (who may play two more games) and 15 short of No. 3 who also has a bowl game coming. He should at least be in the top 3 since Damarea Crockett’s season is over.
So if Ohio State loses to Clemson or Weber doesn’t reach his projected production in the next two games, a big performance on the ground could push Hill into the lead.
Finishing top 3 is no small thing with the Cowboys’ struggles in the running game these last three years. Hill has been impressive and he gives us all a lot to look forward to in the future.