The 2013 Colorado State Football season was one with many exciting story lines. The defense's big game against Alabama, the emergence of Garrett Grayson as the veteran QB, that one kid named Kapri Bibbs, and of course the miraculous New Mexico Bowl comeback. But through all the excitement and hype, one freshman WR with a terrific season never got the recognition he deserved.

Rashard Higgins came in as a two-star recruit out of Mesquite, Texas. It was assumed he'd red-shirt just like fellow freshmen Sammie Long, Elroy Masters, and Xavier Williams, but Higgins had other plans. After impressing coaches during Summer practices, and losing veteran receiver Charles Lovett to injuries, Higgins was given the start for the Rocky Mountain Showdown against rival Colorado (Sept. 1st). The 6-2, 180 lb. receiver pulled in an impressive six catches for 57 yards, but Higgins was just getting started.

The freshman would go on to catch seven passes for 71 yards against one of the best secondaries in all of College Football against Alabama (Sept. 21st). He set a Colorado State freshman record by recording 157 receiving yards against UTEP (Sept. 28th) and tied another with his 10 catches against Boise State (Nov. 2). When it was all said and done, Higgins finished his freshman season with 68 receptions for 837 yards and six TD's in his 14 starts. His impressive efforts earned him honorable mention on Campus Insider's FBS All-Freshman Team.

Rashard Higgins TD against Cal Poly (via CTVNews11)



With star RB Kapri Bibbs (UDFA, Denver Broncos), and veteran Donnell Alexander (Transfer, Akron) out of the back field next year, the Rams will be forced to rely on the passing attack of senior QB Garrett Grayson in 2014. The veteran QB set the Colorado State record with 3,696 yards in 2013 and with his favorite target Crockett Gillmore in the NFL (3rd Round, Baltimore Ravens), the freshman standout Higgins is set to have an excellent sophomore campaign. During the Spring scrimmages, Higgins demonstrated his exceptional open field running abilities and showed that he and Grayson have tremendous chemistry on the deep ball.

If Higgins can continue his quick development, limit his drops, and become Grayson's go-to-target, you can expect the talented receiver to re-write Colorado State record books this year. With his size, speed, and elusiveness, look for Higgins to be one of the premier talents of the Mountain West in the coming years.