This week's Roundtable question is simply this: Who - outside of the quarterback - will score the most touchdowns for the Red Raiders this fall?
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Level: I may look really dumb here because his backup had as many touchdowns as he did last season - and three returning wideouts had more - but I'm going with senior running back DeAndre Washington. Just so odd that Washington was able to eclipse a thousand yards and only score twice on the ground while doing it. But, I believe in Washington and I think Coach Kingsbury along with Eric Morris and Mike Jinks have made some slight adjustments with their run game and red zone offense that will allow for more opportunities for Washington in his senior season. I'll look really good with this pick or really bad, but for Tech's sake, if I'm right that would mean great things for the Red Raider offense in 2015.
Dickens: Devin Lauderdale will lead the Red Raiders in touchdowns next season. The rising junior was tied with Jakeem Grant for second last year with seven scores, behind Bradley Marquez's 10, but Lauderdale had a much better finish to 2014 than Grant. I also think that Lauderdale's position on the outside will give him more big-play opportunities than Grant will have in the slot. I expect Lauderdale to haul in at least 12 scores this fall.
McKay: Part of me wants to go with DeAndre Washington, but I think it will be hard for him to score more times on the ground than Tech's leading receiver does through the air, especially when teams begin to really key in on the senior tailback inside the redzone and stack the box.
While the most total production from Tech's receivers has come via the inside Y position, a player on the outside at X or Z has almost always scored the most touchdowns for the Red Raiders. With fades, corner routes, and picks being a major component of Tech's redzone offense, it makes sense. That's why I'm going with junior outside receiver Dylan Cantrell.
He's a big target that has a knack for SportsCenter Top 10 circus catches on a surprisingly regular basis, and a year of growth to hone his skills as a route runner and receiver will only make him more consistent. He's a big target that can jump through the roof and catches everything, so I believe you'll see the ball thrown his way often this fall.
Clare: The first player that comes to mind is DeAndre Washington, but after some thought I'm going to bet on Devin Lauderdale being that 'dude' this season. I feel that Lauderdale really started tapping into some of the potential well over 30-plus college programs from across the country saw in him out of high school this past season. If the Red Raiders can find stability at the quarterback position this season, then Lauderdale has the ability to score from anywhere on the field and will be needed as a play maker across the field for Tech.
Lauderdale did not score until week six against West Virginia last year, a game that featured Davis Webb at quarterback. He finished the season with nearly 600 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns. Saying a full season of productivity from Lauderdale could lead to 11 touchdowns isn't hard at all, especially when Marquez led the skill players with 10 touchdowns in 2014.
Kohnle: Most Red Raider fans would want De'Andre Washington to be the clubhouse leader in touchdowns scored this year. Washington's 1,000 yard season last year made history, but there were only two rushing and two receiving TDs from the tailback.
My pick would be Dylan Cantrell. I think this season is when the coaches can finally - and properly - utilize his talents. Just put him in when the offense is in the red zone. Cantrell's size and leaping ability can't be found in any other receiver on the roster, and by all accounts he had a very successful spring. He probably won't come close to leading the team in yards, but I feel like an endzone connection of Mahomes to Cantrell could be featured prominently this year.
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Level: I may look really dumb here because his backup had as many touchdowns as he did last season - and three returning wideouts had more - but I'm going with senior running back DeAndre Washington. Just so odd that Washington was able to eclipse a thousand yards and only score twice on the ground while doing it. But, I believe in Washington and I think Coach Kingsbury along with Eric Morris and Mike Jinks have made some slight adjustments with their run game and red zone offense that will allow for more opportunities for Washington in his senior season. I'll look really good with this pick or really bad, but for Tech's sake, if I'm right that would mean great things for the Red Raider offense in 2015.
Dickens: Devin Lauderdale will lead the Red Raiders in touchdowns next season. The rising junior was tied with Jakeem Grant for second last year with seven scores, behind Bradley Marquez's 10, but Lauderdale had a much better finish to 2014 than Grant. I also think that Lauderdale's position on the outside will give him more big-play opportunities than Grant will have in the slot. I expect Lauderdale to haul in at least 12 scores this fall.
McKay: Part of me wants to go with DeAndre Washington, but I think it will be hard for him to score more times on the ground than Tech's leading receiver does through the air, especially when teams begin to really key in on the senior tailback inside the redzone and stack the box.
While the most total production from Tech's receivers has come via the inside Y position, a player on the outside at X or Z has almost always scored the most touchdowns for the Red Raiders. With fades, corner routes, and picks being a major component of Tech's redzone offense, it makes sense. That's why I'm going with junior outside receiver Dylan Cantrell.
He's a big target that has a knack for SportsCenter Top 10 circus catches on a surprisingly regular basis, and a year of growth to hone his skills as a route runner and receiver will only make him more consistent. He's a big target that can jump through the roof and catches everything, so I believe you'll see the ball thrown his way often this fall.
Clare: The first player that comes to mind is DeAndre Washington, but after some thought I'm going to bet on Devin Lauderdale being that 'dude' this season. I feel that Lauderdale really started tapping into some of the potential well over 30-plus college programs from across the country saw in him out of high school this past season. If the Red Raiders can find stability at the quarterback position this season, then Lauderdale has the ability to score from anywhere on the field and will be needed as a play maker across the field for Tech.
Lauderdale did not score until week six against West Virginia last year, a game that featured Davis Webb at quarterback. He finished the season with nearly 600 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns. Saying a full season of productivity from Lauderdale could lead to 11 touchdowns isn't hard at all, especially when Marquez led the skill players with 10 touchdowns in 2014.
Kohnle: Most Red Raider fans would want De'Andre Washington to be the clubhouse leader in touchdowns scored this year. Washington's 1,000 yard season last year made history, but there were only two rushing and two receiving TDs from the tailback.
My pick would be Dylan Cantrell. I think this season is when the coaches can finally - and properly - utilize his talents. Just put him in when the offense is in the red zone. Cantrell's size and leaping ability can't be found in any other receiver on the roster, and by all accounts he had a very successful spring. He probably won't come close to leading the team in yards, but I feel like an endzone connection of Mahomes to Cantrell could be featured prominently this year.
