Offensive Player To Watch: Deshaunte Jones

Another game, another week that we haven’t had to worry about replacing Hakeem Butler. The primary force easing those concerns has been Deshaunte Jones, who has stepped up into a critical role at receiver, and performed marvelously.

Jones is on pace to eclipse his freshman season, which was his best in a Cyclone uniform to date. He already has more receiving yards than last year (444 so far), and will have over 50 receptions, something he has yet to do in Ames. There is also a decent chance he will eclipse his touchdown career high of 6. Now he hasn’t put up the numbers that Hakeem Butler did, and very few can, but he has been instrumental in filling that gap.

The Mountaineer defense has been better than advertised this season, not having allowed 300 yards through the air in any game so far, but look for the streak to be broken this weekend with Deshaunte Jones leading the way. Playing on the road the 1,300 miles away from home is never easy, but road games never are. Besides a trip to Lawrence, of course.

West Virginia has yet to see an offense quite like Iowa State has shown this season. Texas may be fairly close, but I think the Cyclones are better right now. Deshaunte Jones should have some decent opportunities in this game. While his receptions have been great, I think he will find the end zone at least once on Saturday, and become the third hundred-yard receiver the ‘Eers have allowed on the season.

Let the man eat once again!