Cowboys forever… how bout a lil bit later?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Singer/Songwriter John Martin wrote a song specifically for the Oklahoma State Cowboys this summer and there has been a lot of talk about when the song should be played.
(If you haven’t heard it, click here to listen to it.)
It’s a good song and I really like the fact it was written for OSU, but I think it would be better served as a halftime song or even postgame song. It seems a little too mellow to play before a game… before a game you’re trying to get hyped, you’re trying to get your mind right to go to work and this song just doesn’t bring those emotions out.
It just doesn’t seem like a pregame football song to me.
Great song, not-so-great timing.
No Tre’ Porter for OSU
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Carl Albert defensive back Tre’ Porter decided to be a Texas Tech Red Raider instead of an OSU Cowboy earlier today.
While the Cowboys would have loved to have Porter, I don’t view this as a huge disappointment for the Cowboys for a couple of reasons.
(1) OSU has as many as seven current commitments who could end up playing defensive back. If there is one position the Cowboys are stacked at it would be DB. Two of those may end up at the Star back i.e. Andre Sexton’s spot, but that still leaves five guys who may end up playing DB in Stillwater.
(2) They already have a very solid safety group in Stillwater and three of the four safeties fighting for playing time are sophomores (Victor Johnson (above), Johnny Thomas and Markelle Martin). When you’re talking about redshirting Daytawion Lowe, I think you have to feel pretty good about your talent at the safety spot.
So while getting Porter would have been nice, the Cowboys will survive without him.
Mr. Hunter will need to be dealt with
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Poor Kendall Hunter.
He’s one of the best backs in the nation and people rarely talk about him.
Everyone’s talking about Zac, everyone’s talking about Dez. Nobody is talking about Kendall, so here’s a reminder why you should…
OSU scouting report: Georgia Bulldogs
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
On Bill King’s Junkyard Blawg, he asks UGA fans which opponent will be the toughest test outside of Tim Tebow.
In this story on Macon.com, David Hale takes a look at the bumps and bruises of Georgia’s preseason camp.
In his notebook, Hale writes about OSU’s special teams and UGA’s freshman receivers, who are expected to have a impact at some point in 2009.
There’s no doubt Sept. 5 may be the most physical football game of the year. Both teams have focused on getting physical in camp and they will be excited to hit someone else.
Surviving the game (injury-free) with Georgia may be just as important as winning it.
My man John Helsley had a great story on Joe Cox in today’s Oklahoman.
So in closing, here’s a look at Joe Cox’s game winning drive against Colorado in 2006.
Proving Time
By John Helsley
Quick question: Has OSU football ever been more popular?
My guess is no, not even when Barry Sanders was running wild to the Heisman. Barry mostly performed his magic out of sight, with little TV time and far less media coverage than exists today.
The Cowboys are everywhere this preseason, as we creep up on what could be a tipping point moment in program history.
With today’s edition of Sporting News Today(available free to your inbox and highly recommended!), Dez Bryant runs off the page in the play story of the day: “Neighborhood Watch: Four outsiders in our top 10 must prove they deserve to stay.”
The story, written by Matt Hayes, takes a look at four outsiders — OSU, LSU, Virginia Tech and Ole Miss — who were not in the final polls a year ago, but make SN’s top 10 and threaten to join the national title race.
Of course, all have something to prove.
“It has been a long time since people have talked about Oklahoma State in the top 10,” Bryant told Hayes. “Now we’ve got to go out and earn it.”
Hayes’ take on OSU:
Why they’ll finish in the top 10:Three legitimate All-Americans — Bryant, QB Zac Robinson and RB Kendall Hunter — on a loaded offense and a re-energized defense with new coordinator Bill Young.
Why they won’t:We’ll know plenty after Week 1, when physical SEC heavyweight Georgia comes to Stillwater. A must win.
Now, Hayes forgot another legit All-American in left tackle Russell Okung, but you get the drift on his appreciation for OSU.
There’s more OSU in this edition of SN Today, too. Okung is featured on Page 19 in a Q&A. And the Kansas City Star’s Blair Kerkhoff takes a broader look at the Cowboys as part of the top 100 countdown.
Hayes is already on record as saying Dez is the “most exciting player” in the country.
And there’s been similar love spread from other angles and outlets, all ready to jump on the Cowboys bandwagon.
Georgia will determine how many hitch up.
Decision time nearing for OSU prospects
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Oklahoma State is on a recruiting roll and Cowboy recruiting targets are likely beginning to feel the crunch. The Cowboys have gotten six commitments in the past week including four defensive linemen, pushing their total number of commits to 22.
Tulsa Washington defensive tackle Calvin Barnett, Sequoyah Tahlequah defensive tackle Chris Littlehead, Houston Bellaire defensive end Joseph Okafor, San Antonio (Texas) Madison safety Tommie Saunders, Derby (Kan.) defensive back Devin Hedgepeth and Arlington (Texas) Bowie Diamonte Wheeler each decided to be Cowboys in the past week.
That increases the urgency for some uncommitted players who report OSU offers like Tulsa Washington athlete Eric Bennett and Carl Albert defensive back Tre’ Porter (above). With OSU’s class quickly filling up, uncommitted players with legit interest in OSU better decide immediately or they could find themselves left out in the cold.
Another great get for OSU
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
The Oklahoma State Cowboys got another great pickup with the commitment of Chris Littlehead on Sunday. The Seq.-Tahlequah defensive tackle has a real nasty streak about him that makes coaches drool. He’s a guy who has been underrated as far as recruiting attention but every one who sees him in action up close goes away impressed.
I had a chance to see him at Okvarsity.com’s camp earlier this year and he was by far the best lineman there. I think he can play on the offensive side of the ball as well but OSU recruited him to play DT and I expect him to mature into a very good player two or three years from now, especially under the direction of Bill Young.
In less than one week, OSU has gone a long way towards solidifying its interior defense.
Best commit yet?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Tulsa Washington standout Calvin Barnett committed to the Cowboys last week.
And when you consider the Cowboys need for depth at defensive tackle and Barnett’s unique ability, the BTW standout could be Oklahoma State’s most important commitment to date.
Barnett is a big, agile defensive tackle. Just a quick look at his offer list (Florida, Alabama, LSU, etc) shows the potential of the 6-3, 300-pounder.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Barnett comes in and plays right away as a freshman in 2010. Here’s a look at the big fella in action:
OSU scouting report: Georgia Bulldogs
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
David Hale of the Macon Telegraph has a story about Georgia quarterback Joe Cox and his natural ability to lead.
Cox is taking over for quarterback Matthew Stafford and while he’s never been “the man” while at UGA, he did help the Bulldogs rally to beat Colorado early in his career. He could be the key to the game on Sept. 5, if he can make OSU pay for stacking the box, that will make the Bulldog offense tough to defend.
Hale also looked at Georgia’s improved leadership on defense. The Bulldogs struggled defensively in 2008 and it sounds like the Bulldogs players think that had a lot to do with a lack of veteran leadership.
Lastly, if you want to get a peek at some of Georgia’s returning standouts, ESPNU (channel 253 on COX cable) is showing the Capital One Bowl tonight at 8 p.m.
OSU scouting report: Georgia Bulldogs
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
It looks like the Georgia Bulldog’s search for a starting running back is almost over.
In this report in the Athens Herald-Banner, Marc Weisner writes about Richard Samuel moving to No. 1 on the running back depth chart.
Here’s Tim Tucker’s story about Samuel being named “a solid No. 1″ by UGA coach Mark Richt.
More and more it looks like Samuel is going to be Georgia’s main running back in the Sept. 5 opener at Boone Pickens Stadium. At 6-foot-2, 216-pounds, Samuel appears to be a physical, downhill runner.
He had 26 carries for 133 yards in spot duty last year as Knowshon Moreno’s backup.
