2018 Recruiting: Fun NFL and former Cowboy Comps for Incoming Freshmen

I’m willing to bet that at no other media outlet in Oklahoma will you see incoming OSU freshmen compared to future All-Pro talents and top-end NFL pass-rushers. But such is the life at PFB, where we try to keep things funky fresh with a blend of fun and education as we break down the Pokes.

So in as serious a tone as possible, I’m going to give you seven player comps for seven incoming freshmen for the Cowboys. Let’s dive in with a doozy I’ve been ready to unleash all offseason.

Spencer Sanders … Deshaun Watson?

Oh yeah, let’s get this hot take oven cooking early. Remember that time I said J.D. King reminded me of a young Zeke Elliott? This take feels lukewarm in comparison.

Spencer Sanders is an absolute star who I think will be the starting QB for Oklahoma State next season. He’s a mobile pocket passer who can extend plays with his legs and make something out of nothing, and he truly has that “it” factor that you look for in a QB.

Sound familiar?

The book is still out on Sanders because, you know, Watson won a natty and might be the best QB to ever play at Clemson. And Sanders is still in high school yet to take a college snap. But don’t tell me they don’t at least look similar!

C.J. Moore … Julio Jones?

Comparing Moore to any talent less than a future Hall of Famer feels like it would be unfair. I’m all in on C.J. Moore, the 6-foot-5 receiver from Union. He’s got track speed, desirable height, and big play ability every time he touches the ball.

Reminds me of another tall receiver who has absolutely shredded the competition at every level of football.

JULIOOOOOOOO!

The knock on Moore is that, while he’s 6-5, he’s listed at just 175 pounds. So he’ll have to get his weight up before I think he can become a consistent contributor. But once he gets the Rob Glass treatment ….. look out.

Braden Cassity … T.J. Watt?

I swear I wasn’t going for the low-hanging fruit here by comparing a white pass-rusher to another white pass-rusher, but the shoe fits! The former Wisconsin star and younger brother of J.J. Watt plays with the motor and speed of a future All-Pro, and he was absolutely electric for the Badgers off the edge.

Like Watt, Cassity’s also got a never-ending motor. He notched 14 sacks, 104 tackles and 18 hurries in his breakout senior season. And long term, I think Cassity has a top-3 ceiling among players in the 2018 class in the next three or four years.

Bryce Bray … Quenton Nelson?

Full disclosure: I know next to nothing about offensive linemen, run schemes, etc. But what I do know is that, generally speaking, offensive linemen with mean streaks pop on film.

And boy, Bryce Bray pops a whole heckuva lot like Quenton Nelson, a projected NFL Draft pick and former Notre Dame standout. Check out the nasty from Nelson.

And the nasty from Bray, you ask? My treat.

Has Josh Henson received a raise yet? Josh Henson might need a raise.

Jahmyl Jeter … Desmond Roland?

Running back signee Jahmyl Jeter doesn’t have elite speed a la Chuba Hubbard, nor does he have the jump-cut and juke ability a la Justice Hill. But he’s super sound as a ball carrier, hits the holes hard, and can be a pretty solid bell cow.

I like Desmond Roland as a comp for him, and after going back to watch more Roland highlights, I think this could be a nice comp.

Jeter almost certainly won’t wow with you with speed or take your breathe away, but he’s got a chance to be a solid running back at the next level. If Desmond Roland is his potential, that’d be a nice snag for John Wozniak.

Tyler Lacy … Emmanuel Ogbah?

At 6-4, 238 pounds, Lacy is the exact height — and five pounds heavier — than what Ogbah was listed at before he came to OSU.

Both were uber productive in high school and both were three-star prospects — largely slept on nationally despite gaudy numbers — and both have the quick twitch needed to rush the passer off the edge.

I talked with Lacy’s trainer recently (who is admittedly biased) who said that he thinks Lacy could play as a freshman. Considering the depth at the position, that’d be big time. But after watching his highlights, not particularly surprising.

Tanner McCalister … Joe Haden?

Size, strength, and athleticism? Check, check and check for both Joe Haden, a former All-Pro cover corner with the Browns, as well as for incoming corner Tanner McCalister. There was a several-year stretch where Haden was arguably the best lockdown DB in the league.

McCalister’s absolutely got the athleticism, as he played multiple positions in high school and starred as a cornerback. I’m chomping at the bit to see both him and JayVeon Cardwell compete at the cornerback spot for the Pokes. I think both have star potential.