Taylor Cornelius Really Could Be The Backup QB for Oklahoma State

It is almost an annual tradition for there to be loads of consternation over who the starting QB in Stillwater will be every September. For the second straight year, that’s not the case. What is the case is that for the first time in a long time, there’s not a clear-cut top two on the QB depth chart.

My colleague Kyle B. thinks this leaves the door open for Keondre Wudtee or Nyc Burns to get some run as true freshman next season. I think it’s more likely that the Oil Baron, Taylor Cornelius, is going to be the guy and Mike & Mike just won’t say it yet.

“He started out on fire [in the Spring Game],” Mike Yurcich told the O’Colly. “He’s had a great spring. He’s a young man that’s very capable of leading our offense, and we feel really good about his progress.” Mike Gundy was less effusive in his praise.

“I thought Taylor [Cornelius] did a good job of directing the black offense for the first time being out there,” Gundy said. And the other backup being considered, John Kolar, did not.

Cornelius’ high school coach agrees with Yurcich.

I definitely think he’s very capable,” Steven Flowers told the Oklahoman. “On paper, he’s got the NFL deal. He’s got the arm. He’s got the height. Once he gets the chance, he’ll win. That’s all he’s done.”

Pistols firing! Cornelius connects with Lacy to give Team Black a 20-7 lead with 1:15 left in the 3rd! #okstate https://t.co/G6ed0x4IAw

— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) April 16, 2016

“He had confidence to come here as a walk-on ‘cause he knew he could play at this level,” added Yurcich to the O’Colly. It takes a little bit of guts to say, ‘I can play in the Big 12,’ and to come here as a walk-on, and to improve as he has is a good sign.”

This isn’t an inconsequential matter. Since Brandon Weeden left, here are the attempts for the players who have started the season as QB1, QB2 and QB3 (this is with Rudolph throwing 424 times last season and counting Chelf as QB1 in 2013 even though he basically wasn’t).

QB1: 882 attempts
QB2: 715 attempts
QB3: 283 attempts

Whoever currently leads the race for No. 2 in Mike Gundy’s mind right now, expect it to be settled early in fall camp.

“I mentioned to the staff that after the first week in August we need to establish who our No. 2 quarterback is, just from the standpoint that it’s really difficult to get three guys ready to play in a game,” said Gundy.

He has no shortage of people to choose from.