James Washington Might Be The Best Deep Threat In Oklahoma State History

This is not an incredibly difficult argument to make. James Washington, by the numbers, is the best deep threat Oklahoma State has ever had. We saw this when I looked at his career numbers through two and a half seasons.

His yards-per-catch numbers are outrageous. He is more than two yards per catch ahead of Adarius Bowman who is in second and nearly three in front of Dez Bryant (who checks in at sixth). Here’s a look at the top 10 all time in OSU history.

1. James Washington (19.4)
2. Adarius Bowman (17.22)
3. Curtis Mayfield (16.98)
4. D’Juan Woods (16.88)
5. Herman Eben (16.51)
6. Dez Bryant (16.50)
7. Terry Young (16.08)
8. Jhajuan Seales (15.9)
9. Hart Lee Dykes (15.67)
10. Isaiah Anderson (15.25)

Insane. He is No. 1 in the country this year with 10 plays of 30+ yards. It gets crazier though. Since 2000, here are the Power 5 rankings in terms of yards per reception for all receivers with over 100 receptions in their careers.

1. Devin Smith (Ohio State): 121 receptions | 20.7 avg | 30 TDs
2. Charles Rogers (Michigan St.): 125 receptions | 20.4 avg | 25 TDs
3. Tim Brown (Rutgers): 114 receptions | 19.9 avg | 20 TDs
4. Lee Evans (Wisconsin): 169 receptions | 19.6 avg | 25 TDs
5. Leonte Carroo (Rutgers): 122 receptions | 19.5 avg | 29 TDs
6. Demaryius Thomas (GT): 120 receptions | 19.5 avg | 15 TDs
7. James Washington (OSU): 117 receptions | 19.4 avg | 22 TDs

Wow. Also, what’s up with all the Rutgers WRs? Heck, what’s up with all the Big 10 WRs?! The most impressive part is that Washington has been doing this for the last year with everyone knowing what OSU is doing.

“(The defense) plays differently,” said Mike Gundy on Saturday. “You go back and watch it and study how they play when he’s in the game compared to when he’s not, they’re going to get an extra guy in the box in the running game.”

He is not the consistent beast Justin Blackmon was or the elusive freak Dez was, but he has stepped into his role as maybe the biggest home run threat in school history. And I’m sure Mason Rudolph is happy to have him.