OKLAHOMA STATE
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 5
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 8
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Brandon Weeden-QB, Hubert Anyiam-WR, Josh Cooper-WR, Nick Martinez-OG, Grant Garner-C, Levy Adcock-OT, Justin Blackmon-WR (NFL)
DEFENSE: Jamie Blatnick-DE, Richetti Jones-DE, Markelle Martin-SS
RB Joseph Randle
Running Back / Cornerback / Sharp

The top three running backs combined averaged over 6.5 yards per carry this past season. If the Cowboys are to get anywhere close to repeating as Big 12 champs this group will be required to "carry" to load. Fullback Kye Staley is also an All-Conference performer as are both veteran cornerbacks. Rarely ever can one locate an All-American kicker that also doubles as an All-Conference Punter. Hello Quinn Sharp!

Quarterback / Offensive Line

The next QB at Okie State is anyone's guess. Gone are the 4,000 plus passing yards of Brandon Weeden. Next in line will be the 300 passing yards of Clint Chelf, a dual-threat running type. The offensive line has to replace three fulltime starters; two of them were All-Big 12 honorees.

CB Brodrick Brown
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
OKLAHOMA STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Clint Chelf-Jr ..
FB Kye Staley-Sr David Paulsen-Sr
RB Joseph Randle-Jr Jeremy Smith-Jr / Herschel Sims-So
WR .. ..
WR Isaiah Anderson-Sr Michael Harrison-Jr
WR Josh Stewart-So Justin Horton-Sr (TE)
WR Tracy Moore-Sr Charlie Moore-Jr
OT Michael Bowie-Sr Parker Graham-Jr
OG .. ..
C .. ..
OG Lane Taylor-Sr ..
OT .. ..
K Quinn Sharp-Sr ..
 
OKLAHOMA STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Ryan Robinson-Sr ..
DT Nigel Nicholas-Sr Davidell Collins-Jr
DT Anthony Rogers-Jr Christian Littlehead-So
DE Cooper Bassett-Sr ..
SLB Shaun Lewis-Jr ..
MLB Caleb Lavey-Jr Tyler Johnson-Jr
WLB Alex Elkins-Sr Joe Mitchell-Jr
CB Brodrick Brown-Sr Andrae May-Sr
CB Justin Gilbert-Jr Larry Stephens-Jr
SS Craig Zack-Jr ..
FS Daytawion Lowe-Jr Deion Imade-Jr
P Quinn Sharp-Sr ..
QUICK TAKES
This was the nation's second rated passing offense. Duplicating these types of numbers won't be possible with two incumbents standing at 6 foot 1 inches tall with little to no experience. They are:
  • (1) Redshirt Junior Clint Chelf - more of a dual-threat type that has to use his feet more to be successful. He is the only QB on the roster to have completed a pass.
  • (2) Redshirt Freshman J.W. Walsh - ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 4 dual-threat prep quarterback and as the nation's third most accurate passer. Walsh is likely the immediate future in Stillwater.

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  • Senior Tracy Moore will be the go-to receiver as two-time Biletnikoff Award Winner Justin Blackmon has already hinted about going pro. Moore is a nice option, but Captain Obvious says there is not another Blackmon in this country.
  • It's hard to imagine this being a Top 10 team in the preseason months with the loss of Weeden and Blackmon alone.
  • The run game has been deceptively good, but if OSU cannot double the run game efforts next season, they have no chance of repeating as Big 12 champs. This will require All-Conference back Joseph Randall to become an even bigger star and a reload of personnel on an offensive line that loses three fulltime starters.
  • This could be the best defensive backfield in the entire pass happy Big 12 Conference. Brodrick Brown is the top cornerback and Justin Gilbert on the other side is not far behind.
  • Thanks to some off-season advice from NFL Seahawk's coach Pete Carroll, coach Gundy has worked hard on creating turnovers. With 42 takeaways, the Cowboys are four short of an NCAA record. Look for this trend to continue next season.
  • Returning kicker/punter Quinn Sharp led the nation in kickoff touchbacks and also led the Big 12 in scoring among kickers, accuracy on field goals (20 of 23) and punting average (46.6).

 

OKLHOMA STATE 2012 SCHEDULE
more opponents to be announced

09/08 - at Arizona
09/15 - Louisiana-Lafayette
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TBA - Texas
TBA - Texas Tech
TBA - Iowa State
TBA - at Kansas
TBA - at Baylor
TBA - at Kansas State
TBA - at Oklahoma
TBA - vs. TCU