“There were several guys that were coming to me, especially on the sideline, you know because they could tell that I wanted to be out there,” Texas Tech junior wide receiver Dylan Cantrell said.
In 2016 Cantrell is back and better than ever.
“He definitely worked on his athleticism over that year that he had off, and he’s more explosive,” Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
“This year you can really see that he trusts himself, he’s a lot more confident over the middle to make some catches and take some tough hits,” Texas Tech junior quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.
Missing an entire season can be a very lonely feeling. It can also pin up a lot of rage. Cantrell said that he worked tirelessly to be able to get back onto the football field, and the coaching staff hopes that this unleashes a different animal that this wide receiving corps didn’t see in their arsenal last season.
“I think last year we would have had him, he would have had a huge impact because of our lack of being able to throw balls up and let people go get it,” Kingsbury said.
“I mean he can run by you. He’s a big body, sure handed,” Texas Tech sophomore defensive back Jah’Shawn Johnson said. “You never know really what to expect from him. He can go up and get the ball as well.”
And after sitting on the sideline for an entire season, the biggest lesson Cantrell learned was one that’s a virtue.
“It was tough. Definitely patience. I learned a lot of patience last year sitting back and observing, and it was tough just not being with the guys on the away trips, and you know in those close losses like TCU,” Cantrell said. “It was tough knowing that you could be out there contributing.”
Chances are he won’t have to worry about that this season.
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