ESPN Ranks Oklahoma State Running Back Ollie Gordon 8th Best Player in College Football

Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon continues to get recognized nationwide as one of the best players in college football.

ESPN on Thursday released its annual ranking of the top 100 players in college football for the upcoming season. Gordon was the only Cowboy on the list, coming in at No. 8. He was the second Big 12 player, ranked behind Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, who was No. 3. Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. topped the list, as the top four players were from the defensive side of the ball.

Gordon was the highest-ranked running back after leading the nation with 1,732 rushing yards last season, with ESPN calling him a “Heisman front-runner.” He also added 21 rushing touchdowns, the second-most in the country. Gordon was a consensus All-American, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and won the Doak Walker Award, given to the best running back in college football.

With still two weeks until the Cowboys’ open their season against South Dakota State on Aug. 31, the hype around Gordon just continues to build. That will only grow as long as he stays healthy. He’s been on numerous preseason watch lists, including for the Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Maxwell Award. Multiple outlets have also named Gordon a preseason All-American.