Maselera is a great fit for OSU’s system
OSU fans at Boone Pickens Stadium
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With 26 current commitments, OSU has done most of the hard work for this year’s signing class with the coaching staff trying to cement their current commitments and beginning to turn their eyes toward the Class of 2012. With signing day approaching, I will finish taking a closer look at this group of future Cowboys:
Isaac Maselera, Glenpool
Position: Safety
Ht, Wt: 6-1, 185
Vitals (via rivals.com): NA
Picked OSU over… Tulsa, Texas Tech
Pros: A solid athlete with good closing speed and acceleration. Will be a good fit in OSU’s system because he’s versatile and willing to be a physical tackler.
Cons: Better suited for safety than cornerback.
Expect an impact in… 2012. With the depth OSU has at safety, expect a redshirt season for Maselera.
Here’s a short clip of Maselera:
Mabry has big-time potential
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With 26 current commitments, OSU has done most of the hard work for this year’s signing class with the coaching staff trying to cement their current commitments and beginning to turn their eyes toward the Class of 2012. With signing day approaching, I will finish taking a closer look at this group of future Cowboys:
Ashaad Mabry, San Antonio (Texas) Macarthur
Position: Defensive tackle
Ht, Wt: 6-3, 295
Vitals (via rivals.com): 5.05 in 40-yard dash; Bench 360; Squat 550;
Picked OSU over... Texas A&M, Baylor, Virginia, SMU
Pros: A very athletic big man with big-time potential. Has the size to contribute immediately if he arrives in Stillwater with the will and passion to make an immediate impact.
Cons: Doesn’t play hard every second of every play.
Expect an impact in… 2012. If he wants to, he has the talent to play immediately. He will just have to realize he has the talent to make an immediate impact, if he does, he could play in 2011, if not his impact will be felt in 2012 or 2013.
Here is Mabry in action (This is not his highlight video, he is No. 75, not the linebacker highlighted with a arrow on each play)
Is OSU’s Future PG on Campus?
Is Keiton Page the long-term answer at point guard?
By John Helsley
@jjhelsley
OSU’s point guard of the future is…
Keiton Page? Ray Penn? Fred Gulley?
Someone else? The Cowboys appear set with two new recruits and two outgoing seniors, but they’re back on the trail in search of a point guard, with California high schooler Cezar Guerrero at the front of their search.
Page is the acting point guard today, but is better suited for the off guard spot, where he can carry less responsibility and draw less attention and more freely work for shots — his specialty.
Penn has been the point guard in the past, the recent past even, but currently finds himself trying to escape Travis Ford’s doghouse. Penn played but one minute in OSU’s loss at Texas Tech on Saturday.
Gully, of course, is sitting out this season as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery — his second at OSU. Gully played the point during the Cowboys’ run to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. He’s unspectacular, but solid, and we may not have yet seen the best of him, considering the issues that have affected each shoulder.
But there’s a chance — and the level of chance is determined by who’s available — that OSU’s future point guard is not yet on campus.
Karron Johnson, a Juco forward who signed with the Cowboys in November, is on shaky ground, both on the court and off. He’s been kicked off the team at Midland College (his fifth school in five years) and reportedly needs to pass 28 hours to become eligible at OSU next fall.
There’s major doubt that Johnson will make it to Stillwater. Either way, the Cowboys are looking for a point guard.
Guerrero is the highest-rated point man still unsigned, yet comes in at No. 25 on the Scout rankings. The Cowboys are late to the party and must make up ground on a number of schools, including Bedlam rival Oklahoma.
But they have a strong selling point, with instant access to a position that could be the missing piece to a strong team.
Assume, too, that the Cowboys will be looking far and wide for other possibilities, including the junior college ranks.
OSU-Tech: Five Keys
The Cowboys need to get Ray Penn going.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Just a few days ago, Jéan-Paul Olukemi dubbed OSU’s game with Texas as must-win.
The Cowboys lost, decisively and disappointingly.
Now it’s on to Texas Tech, where the Red Raiders are suddenly showing signs of life after an 0-4 start to conference play. They’ve won back-to-back games, including on the road at Iowa State Wednesday night.
Still, the Raiders are just 10-11 overall and 2-4 in the Big 12.
The Cowboys are just 2-4, too, in league play. And they’re 0-3 in enemy Big 12 venues.
If OSU is an NCAA Tournament contender, it must start winning games – and soon, as in Saturday.
So what does that make this matchup in Lubbock, must-must-win?
Five keys vs. Texas Tech:
1. What’s New? Cowboys coach Travis Ford promised offensive changes after Wednesday night’s shutdown by Texas. He didn’t get specific, suggesting they could either be lineup or style oriented. But Ford has few personnel options, meaning the tweaks are more likely tied to pace of play. And this team could actually thrive on the run, with slasher types at several spots. Stay tuned.
2. Maintain Focus. OSU has been hampered by ragged play just before – and after – halftime. In four of their last five games, the Cowboys have been outscored 57-8 during the minutes crossing over the two halves. Three of those games have been losses. The Pokes must maintain focus and carry it out of the locker room as well, with little wiggle room to allow teams to make a run.
3. Play Hard. In each of OSU’s road losses, Ford has found himself questioning his team’s effort. The Cowboys must be a max-effort squad to succeed. The work ethic was strong against the Longhorns, if the shooting wasn’t. As Ford said afterward – it’s a start. But only a start. They’ve also got to play better.
4. Take it to Tech. The Raiders have regrouped with the two wins. Still, they came against Nebraska and Iowa State, hardly league powerhouses. And they’ve lost four times at home, where the crowds have been sparse. The atmosphere won’t be a factor. And while Tech has a veteran team – much more was expected of them in the preseason – if the Cowboys can strike hard early, the Raiders may fade. Still, Mike Singletary and John Roberson are capable of filling up a stat sheet, so beware.
5. Free Ray Penn. Ford can get frustrated with Penn, who has a tendency to freelance and stray from the offense at times. Still, he’s this team’s best option at the point, not Keiton Page, who needs to be concentrating on firing daggers from the 3-point line. Penn’s confidence appears to be teetering on the edge, and extended bench time could push him over the edge. The Cowboys should get him involved and get his offensive game going, which would be a huge boost.
Jones’ natural instincts could help him play early
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With 26 current commitments, OSU has done most of the hard work for this year’s signing class with the coaching staff trying to cement their current commitments and beginning to turn their eyes toward the Class of 2012. With signing day approaching, I will finish taking a closer look at this group of future Cowboys:
Miketavius Jones, Galena Park (Texas) North Shore
Position: Cornerback
Ht, Wt: 5-10, 157
Vitals (via scout.com): 4.5 in 40-yard dash
Picked OSU over… Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Rice
Pros: Instinctive with natural coverage and ball skills. Despite weighing 160 pounds, Jones doesn’t hesitate to be physical and contribute in the run game.
Cons: Will have to put on weight to handle the pounding of a Big 12 schedule.
Expect an impact in… 2011. Depth at the cornerback position is a concern so Jones will be given every opportunity to play his way out of a redshirt season.
Here’s a look at Jones in action:
Johnson appears ready to help immediately
Talents like Johnson could lead to more celebrations
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With 26 current commitments, OSU has done most of the hard work for this year’s signing class with the coaching staff trying to cement their current commitments and beginning to turn their eyes toward the Class of 2012. With signing day approaching, I will finish taking a closer look at this group of future Cowboys:
Lyndell Johnson, Plano (Texas) East
Position: Safety
Ht, Wt: 6-3, 195
Vitals (via Rivals.com): 4.46 in 40-yard dash, Bench: 240, Squat: 435, 33-inch vertical
Picked OSU over… LSU, Nebraska, Notre Dame, TCU, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Arizona and others
Pros: Very good tackler in space. Ball hawking type of safety. Appears ready to step in and play right away if needed. Could be the ideal STAR linebacker (hybrid safety/linebacker type) with the tackling ability to make an impact in the running game and the coverage ability to hold his own in the passing game.
Cons: Good not great speed. Will have to improve coverage skills.
Expect an impact in… 2011. Very talented, I’d be surprised if he didn’t make an immediate impact on OSU’s defense and special teams. You can never have too many quality defenders.
Could Glidden make an immediate impact?
Cowboys enter BPS before their win over Texas A&M
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With 26 current commitments, OSU has done most of the hard work for this year’s signing class with the coaching staff trying to cement their current commitments and beginning to turn their eyes toward the Class of 2012. With signing day approaching, I will finish taking a closer look at this group of future Cowboys:
David Glidden, Mustang
Position: Receiver
Ht, Wt: 5-8, 158
Vitals (via Rivals.com): 4.81 in 40-yard dash, 4.48 shuttle, 29-inch vertical
Picked OSU over… Tulsa (offer), Arkansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Houston, Iowa State
Pros: Superb quickness and vision. Consistently makes big plays and steps up in big games. Excelled in a “Air Raid” type offense at Mustang. With his quickness and route running, he could create mismatches in the slot. Plays faster than his 40-yard dash time.
Cons: Undersized. Will need to bulk up to handle the physical nature and long grind of Division I football.
Expect an impact in… 2011. With his playmaking ability and quickness, he might be as ready to step in an play immediately as any receiver in the class.
Here is Glidden in action:
Elkins could be a sleeper
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With 26 current commitments, OSU has done most of the hard work for this year’s signing class with the coaching staff trying to cement their current commitments and beginning to turn their eyes toward the Class of 2012. With signing day approaching, I will finish taking a closer look at this group of future Cowboys:
Alex Elkins, Blinn (Texas) C.C.
Position: Linebacker
Ht, Wt: 6-4, 233
Vitals (via Rivals.com): 4.5 in 40-yard dash (reported), Bench: 355, Shuttle 4.1, 34-inch vertical
Picked OSU over… South Alabama (offer), Auburn, Texas A&M, North Carolina, TCU, Texas A&M
Pros: Great size/speed ratio. Is a physical player. Has very good feet which allow him to navigate through traffic and make plays.
Cons: Very raw. Didn’t play football in high school and is still learning the game.
Expect an impact in... 2011. Depending on how the Pokes choose to use him, he could make a immediate impact on special teams or take a season to get more familiar with Division I football. Long term, he has the talent to be a quality linebacker in the Big 12.
Here’s Elkins in action:
CLICK HERE to watch video of Elkins in action.
Davis is raw but has potential
The Cowboys class has taken shape
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With 26 current commitments, OSU has done most of the hard work for this year’s signing class with the coaching staff trying to cement their current commitments and beginning to turn their eyes toward the Class of 2012. With signing day approaching, I will finish taking a closer look at this group of future Cowboys:
Devin Davis, Nacogdoches (Texas)
Position: Offensive line
Ht, Wt: 6-5, 250
Vitals (via Rivals.com): 4.8 in 40-yard dash (reported), Bench: 290
Picked OSU over… none
Pros: Athletic and long. Has the physical tools to develop into a quality Big 12 lineman.
Cons: Very raw. Will need a redshirt year and quality coaching to reach his full potential.
Expect an impact in… 2012 at the earliest. Davis has talent and potential but will need time to become a contributor for the Pokes.
Could Griffin follow in Gilbert’s footsteps?
Excitement abound for OSU fans
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
With 26 current commitments, OSU has done most of the hard work for this year’s signing class with the coaching staff trying to cement their current commitments and beginning to turn their eyes toward the Class of 2012. With signing day approaching, I will finish taking a closer look at this group of future Cowboys:
Jonovan Griffin, McKinney (Texas) Boyd
Position: Athlete (likely cornerback)
Ht, Wt: 5-11, 162
Vitals (via Rivals.com): 4.35 in 40-yard dash (reported), 4.26 shuttle, 32 inch vertical
Picked OSU over… UTEP, Texas Tech, SMU, Memphis, Wyoming and others
Pros: Very talented athlete. Has excellent acceleration and ability to cut. The open field ability he displayed in high school could make him a solid cover corner based on the fluidity of his hips in the open field. His highlight video reminds me of Justin Gilbert’s high school highlight reel.
Cons: Inexperience. As a star quarterback on his high school squad, Griffin didn’t play defense during his senior year. Will probably take a while to get used to playing cornerback at the Big 12 level.
Expect an impact in… 2012. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him play as a true freshman because he has excellent athletic ability but there will definitely be a transition phase for him to get used to playing cornerback at a high level so a redshirt season could be in order.
CLICK HERE to see Griffin in action.
