Boone Bag: On OSU’s QB Situation, McCleskey and the Redshirt Rule

The mailbag is back this week after a schedule-induced hiatus last week.

Let’s get to your questions.

Bryan Metcalf: Since you called Avery as a name to watch a few months ago (good call btw), who should we look at now with so many offers still out there.

I think as far as 2019 hoops recruiting is concerned, there’s maybe only one name to watch: Marcus Watson. And even then, it may all be dependent upon how the legal process plays out with Michael Weathers.

Mario McKinney committed to Missouri this week, and I don’t get the sense that Tyrell Jones is highest on OSU among his long list of offers. So for 2019, I’d say it’s potentially Watson or no dice.

As for 2020 – I think the class could be a big one. I’m definitely monitoring big fish Isaiah Todd, a five-star who OSU has prioritized. In-state stars Bryce Thompson and Rondel Walker are also names to monitor as OSU shifts from 2019 to 2020 as the primary focus.

Shellie: Do you think Gundy is telling the truth when he says Brown and Sanders aren’t ready yet or being too loyal to Cornelius? Really hope he gives those boys their 4 games this year, but I don’t think he wants the fan outcry when they outplay Cornelius.

#CorndogsLongball =

I have no reason to think Gundy would be lying about his QB situation, but we also have recent proof that he’s not always played his best option (see: 2014, Daxx over Rudolph). I think Cornelius knows the system best, which is obviously why he’s gotten a long leash. But I have a hard time believing Dru Brown would be a downgrade from him. As for Sanders, I think it’s a Rudolph 2014 situation – he’s clearly the best QB on the roster, but preserving his redshirt (and presumably hoping to keep him an extra year) is why I don’t think we’ll see him.

Zachary Burson: What will it take for Gundy to actually make a change at QB this season?

A week ago I’d answer that question by saying injury would be the only factor, but I think if Cornelius throws out another Texas Tech stinker against Kansas or Iowa State, Gundy will seriously consider a change. The offense was totally inept last week, and yes, the offensive line should shoulder some blame, but the shoulder of Cornelius is a huge reason why the ball didn’t move as OSU fans have come to expect it to. With no real consistent threat of a deep ball, it hampers OSU’s running game and reduces OSU’s game plan to dust.

Roel: Do you see Malcom Rodriguez as a captain of the defense in a couple years? And Spencer Sanders ready to step in, if called on?? Just look at his likes after the Tech game.

I can definitely see Rodriguez as a secondary captain a la Jordan Sterns. Everything I hear about him is praise about his work ethic, supreme talent and gifted ability to seemingly always be in the right spot at the right time.

As for Sanders, I somewhat answered the question above, but I’ll reiterate I don’t expect him to play this season. Dru Brown is the Cornelius safety net, and Sanders is the oh no both our quarterbacks are injured safety net that would be a last resort. It’s not a talent thing, but I think it’s merely Gundy playing the long-game. He wants a stronger Spencer Sanders prepared to take the world by storm next season as opposed to a true freshman QB who is slightly thin running around and risking injury behind a subpar offensive line, would be my assumption.

Austin Steele: You think Gundy will use this new redshirt rule to his advantage and start taking in a lot of senior grad transfers that are unhappy elsewhere at larger programs? i.e. Kelly Bryant from Clemson. Or do you think he will content using the recruits he brings in to fill positions.

Gundy’s always playing chess while the CFB world is playing Tetris, so yes, I could definitely see that. Problem is, I don’t think anyone – not Gundy not Saban nor Swinney – know exactly the full impact of the new redshirt rule. And recruiting senior grad transfers from other programs is a tricky task, simply because most times, the player has to express interest first. And almost all of those options will come with a one-year-only stay. Would Gundy prefer a rental over a four-year player? I think that’s dependent upon positional situations, but I can see him using that avenue to fill voids if necessary.

Justin Phillips: Should we attempt to bring in Kelly Bryant? Maybe then Gundy could risk losing Brown’s redshirt this year, to have two solid options next year.

Sure, I guess. Bryant’s a proven winner, and with losing Cornelius this season and (potentially) losing Brown too (dependent upon if he’s used more than 5 games), I think that’d be a good strategy. Could give OSU Sanders next year, a true freshman (2019 commit Brendan Costello) and Bryant, an experienced starter.

My only concern (a very, very large one) is that Bryant is leaving Clemson because he lost his job as the starting QB, which means he’s likely looking to play out his college career as a starting QB at his next destination. At OSU, he wouldn’t find that situation. Spencer Sanders is the franchise and the future, so if Bryant isn’t on board with being a mentor to the Cowboys’ future gunslinger, then he’s not worth the risk.