JimBob
02-05-2008, 04:31 PM
Break Down of OSU Signing Day
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
2/5/2008 5:13 PM
Last Modified: 2/5/2008 5:15 PM
The Class
The Cowboys signed six players who were rated by Rivals.com as being four-star national recruits. A five-star rating is the highest. Frustrated by years of defensive problems, Cowboy coaches seek immediate improvement by signing six defenders from the junior college ranks.
The Offense
For the second consecutive year, Oklahoma State did not sign a quarterback as Kody Spano de-committed and wound up at Nebraska. The Cowboys are expected to sign 12 offensive players and one specialist (Quinn Sharp, rated the the nation's No. 1 kicker prospect). Only one of the 12 offensive players -- running back Beau Johnson -- is a junior college transfer. The 215-pound Johnson is expected to make a strong bid for the starting tailback position. OSU signed three running backs, two tight ends, three wide receivers and four offensive linemen.
The needs: With All-Big 12 tailback Dantrell Savage having exhausted his eligibility, O-State does not have a clearly defined No. 1 tailback. Sophomore-to-be Kendall Hunter was a tremendously productive backup last season, but entering the spring-practice period, junior college transfer Beau Johnson could be the favorite in the competition for the starting role. With record-setting quarterback Zac Robinson, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, wide receiver Dez Bryant and the entire offensive line all returning for the 2008, the tailback position really is OSU's only uncertainty. Incoming freshman Kye Staley was a dominant playmaking QB at Guthrie, but he is expected to play tailback at O-State.
Headliner: Beau Johnson. MVP of juco national title game.
Sleeper: Cooper Bassett. Tuttle tight end has the combination of reliable hands and solid size (6-5, 235).
Immediate impact: Beau Johnson. Georgia native rushed for 1,756 yards last season at Butler County (Kan.) Community College.
The Defense
By far, this seems to be the best group of defenders signed by OSU since Mike Gundy became head coach. Among the 14 defenders signed by the Cowboys are four who garnered four-star ratings by Rivals.com -- defensive backs Victor Johnson, Markelle Martin and Maurice Gray (a junior college transfer), along with tackle Swanson Miller (also a juco product). OSU signed six defensive backs, three tackles, three ends and two linebackers. Cowboy coaches would like to have signed a can't-miss linebacker prospect, but they like the potential of Donald Booker and Alfred Dupree.
The needs: For a program that has struggled defensively during most of this decade, the needs are many. Last season, OSU was 101st nationally in total defense. When the Cowboys begin spring practice on March 3, every starting job is up for grabs. At the tackle positions, the Cowboys have been hurt by a lack of performance and depth. Junior college transfers Swanson Miller and Chris Donaldson (especially the highly regarded Miller) are expected to contribute immediately. In the secondary, newcomers -- particularly the highly rated first-year guys like Victor Johnson and Markelle Martin -- should contend for playing time right away.
Headliner: Victor Johnson. Chose OSU over Oklahoma, Nebraska and Miami (Fla.).
Sleeper: Donald Booker. OSU needs better tackling, and the 225-pound Booker was a juco All-American.
Immediate impact: Swanson Miller. OSU coaches hope the 330-pound Miller can plug the middle.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
2/5/2008 5:13 PM
Last Modified: 2/5/2008 5:15 PM
The Class
The Cowboys signed six players who were rated by Rivals.com as being four-star national recruits. A five-star rating is the highest. Frustrated by years of defensive problems, Cowboy coaches seek immediate improvement by signing six defenders from the junior college ranks.
The Offense
For the second consecutive year, Oklahoma State did not sign a quarterback as Kody Spano de-committed and wound up at Nebraska. The Cowboys are expected to sign 12 offensive players and one specialist (Quinn Sharp, rated the the nation's No. 1 kicker prospect). Only one of the 12 offensive players -- running back Beau Johnson -- is a junior college transfer. The 215-pound Johnson is expected to make a strong bid for the starting tailback position. OSU signed three running backs, two tight ends, three wide receivers and four offensive linemen.
The needs: With All-Big 12 tailback Dantrell Savage having exhausted his eligibility, O-State does not have a clearly defined No. 1 tailback. Sophomore-to-be Kendall Hunter was a tremendously productive backup last season, but entering the spring-practice period, junior college transfer Beau Johnson could be the favorite in the competition for the starting role. With record-setting quarterback Zac Robinson, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, wide receiver Dez Bryant and the entire offensive line all returning for the 2008, the tailback position really is OSU's only uncertainty. Incoming freshman Kye Staley was a dominant playmaking QB at Guthrie, but he is expected to play tailback at O-State.
Headliner: Beau Johnson. MVP of juco national title game.
Sleeper: Cooper Bassett. Tuttle tight end has the combination of reliable hands and solid size (6-5, 235).
Immediate impact: Beau Johnson. Georgia native rushed for 1,756 yards last season at Butler County (Kan.) Community College.
The Defense
By far, this seems to be the best group of defenders signed by OSU since Mike Gundy became head coach. Among the 14 defenders signed by the Cowboys are four who garnered four-star ratings by Rivals.com -- defensive backs Victor Johnson, Markelle Martin and Maurice Gray (a junior college transfer), along with tackle Swanson Miller (also a juco product). OSU signed six defensive backs, three tackles, three ends and two linebackers. Cowboy coaches would like to have signed a can't-miss linebacker prospect, but they like the potential of Donald Booker and Alfred Dupree.
The needs: For a program that has struggled defensively during most of this decade, the needs are many. Last season, OSU was 101st nationally in total defense. When the Cowboys begin spring practice on March 3, every starting job is up for grabs. At the tackle positions, the Cowboys have been hurt by a lack of performance and depth. Junior college transfers Swanson Miller and Chris Donaldson (especially the highly regarded Miller) are expected to contribute immediately. In the secondary, newcomers -- particularly the highly rated first-year guys like Victor Johnson and Markelle Martin -- should contend for playing time right away.
Headliner: Victor Johnson. Chose OSU over Oklahoma, Nebraska and Miami (Fla.).
Sleeper: Donald Booker. OSU needs better tackling, and the 225-pound Booker was a juco All-American.
Immediate impact: Swanson Miller. OSU coaches hope the 330-pound Miller can plug the middle.