Texas Football: Curry Sexton over John Harris? C’mon Big 12
If you were left wondering how the Big 12 coaches could pass on Texas DT Malcolm Brown as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, here’s another head-scratcher.
The coaches selected Kansas State wide receiver Curry Sexton to the All-Big 12 Second Team Offense. Meanwhile, Texas receiver John Harris received Honorable Mention.
Um, what?
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For anyone who has followed the Longhorns this season, this is absurd. Harris broke out in 2014, and was arguably one of the most impactful players on the team. He certainly deserves better than what the conference coaches think of him. I mean, didn’t these guys have to game plan for Harris?
No doubt Sexton is a good receiver. He put up some impressive numbers in games, albeit against inferior pass defenses. Heck, 11 catches for 121 yards against Auburn is pretty darn good. His 69 receptions for the season is nothing to sneeze at.
But is he deserving of second team honors over a player like Harris? No.
Oct 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver John Harris (9) runs for a touchdown after making a reception against Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Aaron Franklin (25) at the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma beat Texas 31-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sexton is built similar to Jaxon Shipley. His play mirrors that of Shipley, too. Sexton is a possession receiver who catches everything thrown his way and moves the chains. Every team needs a guy like this. But comparing the circumstances under which both played the 2014 season, there should be no doubt who is more important to his team.
Quarterback play had a big part in Sexton’s success. He had Jake Waters throwing to him. Waters is one of the Big 12’s top signal callers. He passed for more than 3,000 yards with 20 touchdown passes to six interceptions. A competent quarterback means an offense stays on the field longer. Sexton also had a pretty good receiver lining up on the other side of the formation. Tyler Lockett earned first team accolades for his 93 reception season. Lockett drew double coverage, leaving Sexton with just one defender to beat on many pass plays. The end result was a good, not great, season.
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Harris didn’t have a lot going for him to start the year. He had nine career receptions entering his senior season. The dismissal of two receivers prior to the start of the season, along with the suspension of Daje Johnson, thrust Harris into the spotlight. He did not disappoint, even with the erratic play of Tyrone Swoopes. A favorite weapon for Swoopes, Harris hauled in 64 passes, just five fewer than Sexton. But he had more receiving yards (1,015 to 955) and touchdowns (7 to 5) than the Kansas State wideout. More importantly, Harris showed how valuable he was to the Longhorn offense. Imagine the numbers he could have put up had Swoopes had been more accurate with his passes.
Without Harris, the offense would have struggled more than it did. An inexperienced Swoopes relied heavily on Harris. Early in the year, teams doubled Shipley, leaving Harris as the only other viable option. Eventually defenses had to respect him as a threat, which opened the door for Shipley to get more looks. Take Harris out of the equation, and Texas is lucky to win three games. Can Wildcat fans say Sexton made the same type of impact? Not with a straight face.
When you look at how valuable each player is to his team, there should be no question Harris deserves second team honors over Sexton.