Published October 14, 2011 - 8:18am
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When LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle was being recruited out of high school, everyone knew this kid would be very good in the SEC at some point in his career. He showed playmaking ability straight out of high school, and many thought he would make a splash as soon as he hit campus.
However, it has taken him a little bit longer to really arrive on the scene in the SEC – but he’s finally here.
As a freshman, Randle had 11 catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior, Randle became a more integral part of the offense, and he caught 33 passes for 544 yards and three touchdowns.
Still, he did not prove he could be the go-to receiver, and he has been more or less in the shadow of Terrance Toliver throughout his career in Baton Rouge.
A year ago, LSU struggled to get the football to their dynamic receivers with Jordan Jefferson at the helm. Jefferson was hit or miss in many games last year, and no rhythm was ever found in the passing game because of it. However, this year, Jarrett Lee is doing a fine job of getting him the ball.
This year, Randle has 23 catches for 446 yards and four touchdowns already. He is averaging 19.4 yards per catch this year, and that is due in large part to Spencer Ware’s ability to run the ball and Jarrett Lee’s ability to sell the play-action.
Randle is reaping the benefits, and he is a formidable threat for LSU this season. He has made himself into a better receiver, and it looks like he is just into the games more than from the previous two years.
Here are few highlights from Rueben Randle this season:
Randle has shown this year he can be a good deep threat and an intermediate threat. He can absolutely bail out the quarterback too by going up and getting the football.
Randle should have a great second half.
Gary Crowton. Thats the entire story of the inconsistency we saw with Randle, Shepherd, Jefferson and Lee.