:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63072937/usa_today_11345013.0.jpg)
The Numbers
- 26 receptions
- 472 yards
- 3 touchdowns
It took a while for Rashad Medaris to finally get a chance to make an impact for the Cincinnati Bearcats. The wideout from Indianapolis, Indiana had to sit out the 2016 season after transferring from Western Illinois. Then, once he was finally able to play, he missed a large chunk of time in 2017 due to an injury.
After those two largely lost years, Medaris finally got his chance in 2018. While he didn’t immediately become an all-league wideout, he flashed big-play potential and was one of the more frequently targeted players on the roster. He played in 12 of 13 games, only sitting out against East Carolina, and also started 11 times. Like many of his fellow pass-catchers, he had a slow start, but wound up ranking third on the team in receptions (26) and second in receiving yards (472). That combination speaks to Medaris’ ability to break off big plays, as he averaged 18.2 yards per reception, which was the fourth-best mark in the American Athletic Conference.
On a more granular level, Medaris had three games of at least 80 yards and his second half really lifted his stock, as he had 273 yards on 14 receptions combined in the last five games he played.
The Best of the Best
Sept. 22 vs. Ohio University
Medaris only had three catches, but one of them was a tide-turning 77-yard touchdown catch at the beginning of the third quarter.
Nov. 3 vs. Navy
Medaris averaged at least 20 yards per reception in each of his last three games of the season and that started here. He turned four receptions into 82 yards and a touchdown.
Nov. 10 vs. USF
Once again, Medaris did a lot with a little, making 92 yards out of four catches.
For Next Year
Now that Kahlil Lewis is no longer on the team, Medaris has a clear line to the No. 1 starting spot at wide receiver. Continuing to be a dangerous deep threat will help cement that post, but if he really wants to take Lewis’ spot, he needs to be a better route runner and perhaps add a little bit of possession receiver to his profile. If teams can’t be sure if he will take off for long plays or cut across the middle to snag important chunks of yardage, Medaris will not have to wait to be the next great Bearcats receiver.