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10 more days.
The 2020 Eagles campaign hasn’t even started yet and the Birds are already in classic midseason form when it comes to injuries. We have Carson Wentz, Miles Sanders, Lane Johnson and Avonte Maddox sitting out practices on top of guys who will clearly miss regular season time like Javon Hargrave, Alshon Jeffery and now Jalen Reagor (I’ve already internalized Andre Dillard and Brandon Brooks being out for the year. I’m a sicko!).
Reagor going down with a shoulder injury is such a bummer. It kills me. With the offensive line depleted, Carson Wentz was going to be relying on his collection of skill players more than ever and Reagor was obviously the Birds’ biggest offseason acquisition in that regard. Speed. Strength. Explosion. I was already trying to plan out what I was going to tweet when Reagor scored a 71-yard touchdown in Week 1 down in Washington. My purple #1 TCU jersey will go unworn until he makes his triumphant return to the field.
Reagor’s absence means there’s an opportunity for another player to establish himself though and I’m expecting John Hightower, the rookie receiver out of Boise State, to do just that. Here comes the #HightowerHive.
The dude is downright explosive. Look at these numbers:
doing some #analytics for a new @BGN_Radio pod:
— shamus (@shamus_clancy) September 1, 2020
John Hightower had 16 TDs from scrimmage (plus a 98-yd KR TD) in 2 yr at Boise St. He averaged 43.4 yards per play on those TDs (that also includes a 55-yd TD & an 88-yd TD).
BIG TIME play ability with Reagor out. #HightowerHive pic.twitter.com/PYtU7Z8w6B
For completion’s sake, here are the lengths of all his collegiate touchdowns:
67, 55 (rush), 31, 41, 88 (rush), 44, 18, 61, 47, 98 (kick return), 23, 76, 26, 1
SHEESH.
The Eagles basically got one legit game from DeSean Jackson last season. We’ve been harping for the last several years about how this team has completely lacked any semblance of big-play ability. Hightower presents that upside.
Judging by the tweets of our fearless leader Brandon Lee Gowton, Hightower has been crushing it for the entirety of training camp too:
John Hightower with a great comeback route to beat Rasul Douglas in 1 on 1. Carson Wentz throw right on the money. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 20, 2020
John Hightower with a leaping catch in the end zone for a 20 yard TD. Sudfeld lofted it up and the rookie made the play on the ball to beat Craig James. Second day in a row with a big highlight play from Hightower. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 27, 2020
Hightower with a diving contested catch over the middle. Rookie WR having a pretty solid practice. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 20, 2020
Feels like John Hightower makes at least one highlight play in every practice. Can’t recall him dropping a pass this summer. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 30, 2020
Listen, I’m not a complete fool. If Hightower can be a fourth wide receiver in the pros and help out on special teams, that’s a win with a fifth-round pick. He’s certainly capable of more though. We saw the Eagles get key contributions from Deontay Burnett and Greg Ward Jr. in 2019. Neither of those guys possess the physical profile and pure athleticism that Hightower does. Two of his measurable comps on Mock Draftable are Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne (Freddie Mitchell is also on there, lol). I’m ready to get way too emotionally invested in a player all over again!
In the latest episode of the From the Bleachers podcast, I’m buying all available John Hightower stock, begging someone who lives in Idaho to mail me a #16 Boise State Broncos jersey and hyperventilating with excitement that are we literally 10 days away from Eagles football.
As always, I appreciate every single person who takes time to check out what I record. To the listeners, thank you.
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