100 Days of Summer: Get to Know No. 60 Zachary Crabtree

We’ve reached No. 60. That means we’re two months away from the start of college football!!! Let’s turn our attention to the most experienced player on OSU’s roster entering 2017 and the face of its offensive line.

How he got to OSU

A three-star tackle out of Mansfield High School (Mansfield, Tex.), Crabtree chose the Cowboys over offers from Baylor, Texas Tech, Washington State and others. He was the nation’s 51st-ranked offensive tackle according to 247Sports. Joe Wickline was his chief recruiter but he would never play a snap under Wick’s tutelage. Crabtree has seen four (!) different offensive line coaches during his time in Stillwater.

What he’s done in Stillwater

Crabtree redshirted in 2013 but walked right into a starting job as a redshirt freshman the following year. After starting the first five games of the season, he missed four due to injury. He returned to the starting lineup on a cold, rainy night in Waco. Yeah, that night. Crabtree has started every game of Mason Rudolph’s career.

Mike Yurcich talked about Crabtree’s value to the Cowboys’ offense ahead of last year’s Alamo Bowl.

“Zach, a lot of experience, a lot of snaps,” said Yurcich. “He’s all ball. He’s all football man, and the guy is going to be a coach one day, and he’s a fun guy to be around. He keeps it light, but yet when game time comes, we run it his way because he’s a very consistent, tough player, and has emerged as one of our leaders on offense.”

Role in 2017

With Cal grad-transfer Aaron Cochran set to take up the left tackle spot, Crabtree can stay home as the starting right tackle. With Cochran and Crabtree manning the edge, the offensive line’s first string is pretty much set. Brad Lundblade at center, Marcus Keyes at left guard and my prediction is that Larry Williams reclaims his starting role at right guard to start 2017.

Noteworthy stats and highlights

Crabtree was voted by the Coaches to the All-Big 12 second-team as he helped the Cowboys take a big stride forward for the OL in 2016. He enters 2017 as the leading Cowboy with 34 career starts.