Iglesias: OU’s most underrated player
On OU’s first possession Saturday night at Husky Stadium, the Sooners faced 3rd-and-goal from the Washington 13-yard line. Tough assignment.
The Sooners had reached the shadow of Lake Washington by churning the ball on the ground. Six straight runs, followed by a Sam Bradford incompletion.
And the rest of the first quarter would not go all that smoothly. OU’s second and third possessions would end in punts. Only later would come the offensive avalanche of seven straight touchdowns and a 55-14 victory.
Anyway, on 3rd-and-goal, Bradford threw a little slant to Juaquin Iglesias, who caught the ball just barely inside the 10-yard line. Not the best way to convert 3rd-and-goal.
Unless you’re throwing to Iglesias. The savvy senior cut inside, dashing away from a UW defender, then darted straight for the goal line, which he reached. It was an important play, but a play that soon was forgotten in the cavalcade of touchdowns.
Typical afternoon for Iglesias. He is OU’s most underrated player. Through three games, Manny Johnson leads the team in catches (16). Jermaine Gresham leads OU in touchdown catches (four). Freshman phenom Ryan Broyles leads the Sooners in receiving yards (226). Iglesias is close in all categories, 13 catches, 205 yards and three TDs.
Typical of Iglesias’ career. He spent his first three seasons in Malcolm Kelly’s shadow. Yet Iglesias doesn’t belong there.
Iglesias’ 2007 season was one of the greatest by a receiver in OU history. His 68 catches and 907 yards rank second on the all-time single-season list, trailing only Mark Clayton’s epic 2003 season.
Iglesias’ career numbers: 141 catches, sixth-best in OU history; 1,916 yards (fourth-best); and 12 touchdowns.
Last week, someone was questioning Bob Stoops about Broyles, who the freshman seems to have stepped in for the departed Kelly, giving OU a deep threat.
Stoops got a puzzled look on his face. “Juaquin’s faster than Malcolm,” Stoops said. Iglesias got deep more than did Kelly.
Iglesias also ranks No. 2 on OU’s all-time kickoff return list. Yes, he’s playing in an era where kickoffs occur from the 30-yard line, so that makes it easier, but still. He’s a shifty, fast, good-hands receiver. The Sooners have a lot of weapons on this. But don’t forget Iglesias. He’s OU’s most underrated player.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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