A National Unknown Last Year, How Oklahoma State Running Back Ollie Gordon Now Prepares as Heisman Contender

Ollie Gordon’s name didn’t pop up on any preseason watch lists this time last year. But during this offseason, Gordon is included on nearly every watch list he’s eligible for.

In the midst of watch list season, Gordon has already been included on preseason lists for the Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Maxwell Award. He was also deemed Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Even as a running back, a position known to be snubbed by the Heisman Trophy committee, Gordon has +7500 odds, according to FanDuel.

“It’s a lot different,” Gordon told PFB. “Just with the team in general, you gotta carry yourself different than how you did before. You gotta be first in everything you do. You gotta do everything the right way. You gotta be a leader for the team. Last year when I wasn’t in that position, I could slack off a little bit — I could — but now I can’t do that.”

That preseason recognition comes after the sophomore season Gordon had last year.

Gordon became the first Cowboy to win the Doak Walker Award, given to the country’s best running back. He was Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He was an unanimous All-American. He finished seventh in Heisman voting — higher than any other running back. He was honored with all that after leading the nation with 1,732 rushing yards and being second in the country in rushing touchdowns with 21.

This year, everyone seems to know what OSU has in its backfield, especially his coach.

“The perfect scenario for us would be Ollie to stay healthy all year long and carry the ball 20 times a game,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “If that happens, then that means we are successful on offense because we’re allowing some other guys to get some carries. I have confidence in the other guys who are going to carry the ball, but I also know the more times that Ollie touches the ball ,and we can get guys blocked up front, it is going to make us a better team. And he also has the ability to run through the extra guy.”