Poll Results: Majority Think Rashaun Woods’ Record is Safe

This one turned out closer than I thought it would. James Washington needs nearly 1,500 receiving yards in his senior season to surpass Rashaun Woods’ career record of 4,414, and 43 percent think he’ll get it.

That 1,500 yards would be the 4th best single season in school history (two Blackmons and a Rashaun). I’m with the majority here. I just don’t think he’s going to be able to do it, although with the benefit of a couple extra games (Big 12 title? Playoff?), it becomes more feasible.

Washington would have to average 107 yards a game on a 14-game schedule. He averaged 106 last year. I think between the depth of OSU’s receivers, the uncertainty of a Big 12 title appearance and the threat of injury, the safer bet is that he doesn’t get to 1,500 and surpass Rashaun. I’ll go with that, but I also won’t be surprised if it happens.

Tuesday poll question: James Washington has 2,923 career receiving yards. Will he catch #okstate record holder Rashaun Woods at 4,414?

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) May 23, 2017

Here are your comments.

Trigiddy: I say no because we have too much firepower to have to force it to James for 1500 yards next season. He’ll see safety help all year, and the rest of the receiving corps will produce in spades.

Lokeasy: If we can make it to the Big 12 championship and then both rounds of the CFP, sure. Those extra opportunities might get him there. Otherwise, nah.

Clint: Don’t think he’ll get there – and that’s NOTHING against him. He’s going to be covered up and he’s going to have #2 slinging the ball to a slew of other Cowboys. Weeden2Blackmon was great! But, Rudolph2Washington has solidified an era!

Nate: 2002 (Rashaun’s best year) “other” WRs:
John Lewis
TD Bryant
Gabe Lindsay
(No other WR had more than 10 catches)

Night and day difference between the supporting WRs in 2017 and 2002. Washington won’t come close to breaking Woods’ record.

Sonny: With the plethora of talent at receiver, it’s unlikely he’ll catch Woods. IMO, the better question is, how many yards can Justice Hill rack up as opposing linebackers are forced to drop into coverage? Or better yet, how many team rushing yards could the RB’s grind out? Opponents, like voters in a national election, are going to be required to pick a poison.

Matt B: I could see him getting the 1500 simply because we start beating defenses over the head with our other receivers and at least once or twice a game James catches a deep ball for a TD or close to it. Assuming at 13-game season, James needs to average just under 115 yards a game. If we make it a 15 game season, that number drops to about 99.5 yards/game. While there’s a lot of potential for fewer receptions and therefore yards, team won’t be able to double team him without giving up regular chunks of yards.

I’d also argue that our receiving corps was pretty good last year and he still grabbed over 1,300 yards. We forgot about a few of the misses Mason tossed James, but they were there and it’s likely that there will be fewer such missteps this time around. Also, James had to leave the Texas game and Colorado game, and only had 9 yards against Kansas. Just things to think about.