FanPost

"The Dream": A Kingsbury Legacy

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Texas came to love the Biletnikoff winning, AP All-American, Playboy All-American (who knew this existed?), video game NCAA Football 10 cover touting Red Raider star wide receiver -- Michael Crabtree.

Crabtree was a collegiate marvel. Overlooked by many scouting agencies, including ESPN's prestigious recruiting posse, he turned the school's football team around on it's head. Graham Harrell, the Red Raider QB at the time, owes many thanks to Crabtree for helping him eclipse the record tying mark of 21 400+ yard games in a NCAA career.

Ties the record with Case Keenum... Kingsbury connection for the win.

Now I wish I could type away and shower Kliff in bringing up in one of NCAA football's most polarizing athletes. Unfortunately KK took over the Texas Tech program 5 years after Crabtree was drafted by the 49ers. And that is still one head coach separated away from the Crabtree era (preceding him was Tommy Tuberville whose lackluster effort followed the effective but controversial Mike Leach.) Leach is authorized to take the Crabtree credit.

A quick six years following Crabtree's exit; Jakeem Grant, a 5'7"
receiver, surpassed Crabtree's Texas Tech career receiving yards record.

Albeit, Crabtree left after his sophomore season while Grant hung around for the full ride.

Currently a Miami Dolphin, Jakeem 'The Dream' Grant has developed nicely into a solid return specialist. Where he shined brightest though was as the slot receiver in Kliff Kingsbury's air raid offense from 2012-2015.

To build some foreground on Grant, he arrived as a three star scout to Lubbock where he was listed at the time 5'6'' and 155 lbs. Essentially a soccer midfielder. He was able to catch scouts attention with his explosive bursts and agility to avoid defenders.

I urge you to watch this old highlight video on this young guy. If you follow the whole league and your memory stretches back to early September you may recollect this very player driving back a kick for a TD in Week 1 against Tennessee in South Beach.

Below is Jakeem's numbers from college ball.

Year

G

Rec

Yds

Avg

TD

Kret

KRYds

KRTD

2012

13

32

284

8.9

3

6

237

2

2013

11

65

796

12.2

7

19

400

0

2014

12

67

938

14.0

7

23

515

0

2015

13

90

1268

14.1

10

39

1017

2

TOTAL

254 3286 12.9 27 87 2169 4

Ultimately, in the following of Kingsbury's hiring, you gotta not only appreciate the quarterback development under KK-- but the weapons, offensive line and role players on his offenses.

Jakeem Grant is my favorite example. Kingsbury recognized Grant's acceleration, elusiveness and raw speed-- and it paid off big time. Likewise, Grant was a benefactor of KK's instruction to the offensive coaches, selling them on Grant as the "go to" for then QB Davis Webb. He was a valuable chess piece in the grandmasters plan.

KK will bring an air raid that will employ tunnel screens, motioning dual slot receivers, mesh plays, smash plays...a system full of entities that will be new for Cards fans.

So now... you should know what we need to succeed if KK presumably runs a similar style.

Slot receiver magic.

Question is does the roster have it? Or have it yet?

Our 2nd favorite 2018 draft pick, Christian Kirk is the leading candidate to be the primary target in the KK offense. Now, Christain Kirk is not a Jakeem Grant. He's bigger, a few ticks slower on the 40 yard dash and not a slippery return man. He was the predicted slot receiver entering 2018 but proved his strength may be on the outside. And I'm fine with that. Just means we have a big position role to fill before next year. Unless you have high hopes for undrafted 2nd year Trent Sherfield.

Didn't think so...

Jakeem Grant made running a college offense easy for Kingsbury.

As much as I love the post-hiring optimism, a concern that needs addressed is the talent we have at slot receiver. We know what Larry can do. We have a good idea what Kirk can do. But neither really seem to be the answer to what Jakeem Grant brought to KK's passing attack.

We can dream, but Kliff and Steve Keim must make the feature slot receiver position a reality. Or else we may be due for another nightmare.


<em>This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.</em>