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1. Michael Crabtree |
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To say
that Michael Crabtree has been a surprise this season would be a
disservice to both the word surprise and what Crabtree has brought to
the Red Raider offense this season. With a nation leading 38 receptions,
538 yards receiving, and 8 touchdowns, the Texas Tech freshman is
playing like a seasoned veteran as opposed to someone making only his
fourth collegiate start.
Look for Crabtree to be double covered this weekend by Oklahoma State and have his first opportunity to show his stuff against a talented, although under performing, Cowboy secondary.
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2. Graham Harrell |
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It seems to be a return to the days of BJ Symons with the Tech offense leading just about every passing stat in the country. Harrell has 1,317 yards, 14 touchdowns, and has been sacked only once (each one of those statistics is better than Heisman hopeful Colt Brennan).
Harrell also seems less fazed by being blitzed and is doing a great job of spreading the football around.
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3. Daniel Howard |
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A junior
college transfer defensive end who didn’t draw much notice from fans,
Howard is rapidly becoming the Raiders best pass rusher. Explosive off
of the line, Howard has recorded a sack against Rice and leads all
defensive linemen with four tackles for loss. |
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4. Rajon Henley |
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Henley is
holding his own in the middle and becoming a dangerous inside pass
rusher. Look for Henley to have a big game this week as he goes up
against a young center for Oklahoma State. |
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5. Richard Jones |
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Jones is being replaced in the starting line-up by
Colby Whitlock but has been a good presence in the first three games of the
season, leading all interior linemen with 5 unassisted tackles. Jones is not the
pass rusher that Colby Whitlock or Rajon Henley is, but against the run he is one of the better options on the inside.
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6. Rylan Reed |
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Perhaps
the least talked about but most important member of the offense, Reed is
doing a tremendous job protecting quarterback Graham Harrell’s backside.
Reed has made the switch over from right tackle and appears to have not
missed a beat. Reed is key to protecting Harrell and ensuring that the
Air Raid offense continues to function at peak levels. |
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7. Colby Whitlock |
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A freshman
making his first start, Whitlock has been everything that was needed out
of a freshman defensive tackle this season. Whitlock has one sack and
four tackles this season and should see those numbers increase as he is
one the field more. One significant change is that Whitlock moves to end
when the Red Raiders are in their 3-4 alignment, which allows him to
take advantage of his pure pass-rush ability. |
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8. LA Reed |
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LA Reed is
not the leading receiver for Tech, nor is he the receiver that draws the
most publicity. But he may be the most important player, from a
versatility stand point, on the roster. In addition to starting as a
receiver, Reed is also a starting kick-off return man and a gunner on
punts. While Reed
had only one big catch against Rice, look for his numbers to sky rocket
this week as he benefits from coverage that is rolled to Michael
Crabtree on the opposite side of the field. |
