JimBob
12-17-2007, 07:04 AM
Freshmen get plenty of practice
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
12/17/2007
They are not household names -- yet -- for Oklahoma State football fans. They will not see one second of action in the Insight Bowl in two weeks.
But the days and practices leading up to the Cowboys' Dec. 31 bowl game against Indiana have been beneficial for defensive ends Richetti Jones and Jamie Blatnick, safety Adrian Moore, tight end Wilson Youman, and wide receiver Hubert Anyiam. Those five first-year freshmen and nine others who did not play this season are using this month's bowl preparation as a jump start for 2008.
OSU coach Mike Gundy has said one of the benefits for earning a bowl berth is the extra practice time that he and other coaches can devote to young players.
During the season, the players who are not in the mix for playing time or redshirting are on the scout team to help prepare the starters for the upcoming game. Individual attention is not the top priority.
But they are not forgotten.
OSU defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said he watches the practice film of Jones and Blatnick at defensive end, Moore and James Thomas at safety and Marcus Richardson and Jared Glover at linebacker to evaluate their progress.
Now, during the first few bowl workouts, Gundy has set aside a minimum of 30 minutes to strictly work players redshirting and those down on the depth chart.
"We're using them like the first few preseason practices, so we can give them a lot of work," Gundy said. "Once you get into the season and your game-week routine, it's tough to give them much work. But we think all of these young guys are going to be solid players for us."
Gundy has been reluctant to single out any specific first- year players who have stood out in early bowl workouts. Beckman said that the portions of the bowl practices devoted to the youngsters will help him get a better idea who can be ready to contribute when spring practice commences in March.
"They're maturing. They're learning how this game works," Beckman said. "I'm excited about what they'll be able to do in the future."
Gundy hopes this year's freshman class is a blueprint of what OSU will be able to do in future years.
Last year, the Cowboys played 12 of their 22 scholarship freshmen. A few of those players, such as offensive tackle Russell Okung, linebacker Patrick Lavine and cornerback Perrish Cox, emerged as immediate impact players.
This year only five first-year freshmen saw action. Only receiver Dez Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter contributed significantly.
"That's the way we prefer to do it, to build depth," Gundy said. "It's just takes time. You would like to develop them for two years and then have them ready to step up and become solid contributors for three years."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUTURE FOCUS
Oklahoma State redshirted 14 freshmen from its recruiting class signed last February. A brief synopsis of the 21 freshmen signed:
Kenny Alexander: Linebacker redshirted this year.
Hubert Anyiam: Wide receiver redshirted this year in order to put more weight on his 175-pound frame.
Jamie Blatnick: Defensive end redshirted this year. Expected to vie for playing time in 2008.
Dez Bryant: Wide receiver is OSU's second-leading pass catcher with 34 receptions for 505 yards and four touchdowns.
William Cole: Started the season at defensive back before moving to receiver in late September. Saw action in six games and caught one pass.
Josh Cooper: Wide receiver from Mustang redshirted this year after injuring a hamstring the first day of preseason practice.
Damien Davis: Wide receiver played in nine games and caught two passes.
Grant Garner: Offensive lineman was removed from redshirt status after starting center David Washington broke his leg in September. Played in the Sam Houston State and Nebraska victories as a reserve center.
Jared Glover: Linebacker from Bixby redshirted this year.
Kendall Hunter: Pleasant surprise of signing class. Served as Dantrell Savage's backup at tailback and rushed for 663 yards.
Ahmad Jones: Defensive tackle redshirted. Could factor in the defensive front rotation next year.
Richetti Jones: Defensive end redshirted after dislocating a hip last year. Expected to vie for playing time next year.
Nick Martinez: Offensive lineman redshirted.
Adrian Moore: Superb safety prospect redshirted.
Quinton Prince: Defensive tackle from Oklahoma City practiced the first two weeks in August but did not meet NCAA Clearinghouse regulations and left the program.
Jacoby Reed: Defensive back did not qualify academically.
Marcus Richardson: Linebacker redshirted this year and drew strong reviews from defensive coordinator Tim Beckman for his scout team performance.
Jonathan Rush: Offensive lineman redshirted.
James Thomas: Defensive back redshirted.
Marc Yerry: Deep snapper redshirted.
Wilson Youman: Tight end redshirted. Could be a big factor next year if Brandon Pettigrew declares for the NFL Draft.
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
12/17/2007
They are not household names -- yet -- for Oklahoma State football fans. They will not see one second of action in the Insight Bowl in two weeks.
But the days and practices leading up to the Cowboys' Dec. 31 bowl game against Indiana have been beneficial for defensive ends Richetti Jones and Jamie Blatnick, safety Adrian Moore, tight end Wilson Youman, and wide receiver Hubert Anyiam. Those five first-year freshmen and nine others who did not play this season are using this month's bowl preparation as a jump start for 2008.
OSU coach Mike Gundy has said one of the benefits for earning a bowl berth is the extra practice time that he and other coaches can devote to young players.
During the season, the players who are not in the mix for playing time or redshirting are on the scout team to help prepare the starters for the upcoming game. Individual attention is not the top priority.
But they are not forgotten.
OSU defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said he watches the practice film of Jones and Blatnick at defensive end, Moore and James Thomas at safety and Marcus Richardson and Jared Glover at linebacker to evaluate their progress.
Now, during the first few bowl workouts, Gundy has set aside a minimum of 30 minutes to strictly work players redshirting and those down on the depth chart.
"We're using them like the first few preseason practices, so we can give them a lot of work," Gundy said. "Once you get into the season and your game-week routine, it's tough to give them much work. But we think all of these young guys are going to be solid players for us."
Gundy has been reluctant to single out any specific first- year players who have stood out in early bowl workouts. Beckman said that the portions of the bowl practices devoted to the youngsters will help him get a better idea who can be ready to contribute when spring practice commences in March.
"They're maturing. They're learning how this game works," Beckman said. "I'm excited about what they'll be able to do in the future."
Gundy hopes this year's freshman class is a blueprint of what OSU will be able to do in future years.
Last year, the Cowboys played 12 of their 22 scholarship freshmen. A few of those players, such as offensive tackle Russell Okung, linebacker Patrick Lavine and cornerback Perrish Cox, emerged as immediate impact players.
This year only five first-year freshmen saw action. Only receiver Dez Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter contributed significantly.
"That's the way we prefer to do it, to build depth," Gundy said. "It's just takes time. You would like to develop them for two years and then have them ready to step up and become solid contributors for three years."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUTURE FOCUS
Oklahoma State redshirted 14 freshmen from its recruiting class signed last February. A brief synopsis of the 21 freshmen signed:
Kenny Alexander: Linebacker redshirted this year.
Hubert Anyiam: Wide receiver redshirted this year in order to put more weight on his 175-pound frame.
Jamie Blatnick: Defensive end redshirted this year. Expected to vie for playing time in 2008.
Dez Bryant: Wide receiver is OSU's second-leading pass catcher with 34 receptions for 505 yards and four touchdowns.
William Cole: Started the season at defensive back before moving to receiver in late September. Saw action in six games and caught one pass.
Josh Cooper: Wide receiver from Mustang redshirted this year after injuring a hamstring the first day of preseason practice.
Damien Davis: Wide receiver played in nine games and caught two passes.
Grant Garner: Offensive lineman was removed from redshirt status after starting center David Washington broke his leg in September. Played in the Sam Houston State and Nebraska victories as a reserve center.
Jared Glover: Linebacker from Bixby redshirted this year.
Kendall Hunter: Pleasant surprise of signing class. Served as Dantrell Savage's backup at tailback and rushed for 663 yards.
Ahmad Jones: Defensive tackle redshirted. Could factor in the defensive front rotation next year.
Richetti Jones: Defensive end redshirted after dislocating a hip last year. Expected to vie for playing time next year.
Nick Martinez: Offensive lineman redshirted.
Adrian Moore: Superb safety prospect redshirted.
Quinton Prince: Defensive tackle from Oklahoma City practiced the first two weeks in August but did not meet NCAA Clearinghouse regulations and left the program.
Jacoby Reed: Defensive back did not qualify academically.
Marcus Richardson: Linebacker redshirted this year and drew strong reviews from defensive coordinator Tim Beckman for his scout team performance.
Jonathan Rush: Offensive lineman redshirted.
James Thomas: Defensive back redshirted.
Marc Yerry: Deep snapper redshirted.
Wilson Youman: Tight end redshirted. Could be a big factor next year if Brandon Pettigrew declares for the NFL Draft.