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C.J. Moore Making ‘Tremendous Strides’ This Spring, Should Be a Factor for OSU in 2019

The high ceiling freshman was the talk of this week’s media availability.

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It’s spring time in Oklahoma which means three things for sure — allergies, unsavory weather and wild speculation as to which OSU receiver will be a breakout star this fall.

With the return of Biletnikoff finalist snub Tylan Wallace, I’m pretty confident in who the Cowboys’ No. 1 target will, but with the departure of Tyron Johnson there are opportunities to be had and a deep-threat role to be filled.

There are a slew of popular candidates around the water cooler including former junior college transfer Patrick McKaufman, who Gundy mentioned this week as “coming along” after the knee injury that sidelined him a year ago. But during Wednesday’s media availability, all the talk was about former in-state standout C.J. Moore.

Gundy was asked about Moore, the former four-star prospect, and whether he expected to see him in the rotation.

“Oh yeah, we’ll play six guys [at receiver] and he needs to get over there,” said Gundy. “Whether he plays 20 plays or 45 plays based on how quickly he matures, but he’s gotta get in the rotation. He’s a guy that we need for legs.”

The Cowboys could use Moore on the field for more than just a pair of fresh legs. A peek at his film from Tulsa Union reveals more than just a big target. Moore is slippery after the catch and fast, to boot.

Some rangy receivers lumber down the field. At 6 foot 6, Moore tracks like a gazelle. The biggest knock on him coming in last season with his slight build at just north of 150 pounds. But Moore has been putting in the work in the weight room with Rob Glass to get up to 185 pounds and counting, according to Gundy.

Dillon Stoner, another former touted Tulsa area receiver, is now the seasoned vet around the receivers room, and he likes what he’s seen from Moore.

“Tremendous strides,” Stoner said on Moore’s progress. “He came in and you weren’t sure, and he’s put all of those questions and doubts aside. He’s been tearing it up and I’m excited [about] what he’s gonna do this fall…

“I think he’s put on like 20 pounds since he’s been here, so yeah he’s making the right steps for sure.”

Gundy sees similarities between the young Moore and another former outside threat who had success playing opposite a Biletnikoff winner, something that is a strong possibility for Wallace this fall.

“He is much better than he was in October and he’s playing outside, where we knew he would,” Gundy said. “He is kind of in that Marcell Ateman role. He is nowhere near where Ateman was when he finished. Has some of the skills Ateman had early in his career.

“Not as physical because he’s still 15 pounds lighter, but that’s the point and direction we want him to go and we need him to be there by October. That might be a push, but it’s a nice goal for us.”

The competition will be stiff the rest of the spring and throughout fall camp, but Moore’s upside and playmaking ability could make for another dynamic pairing like the one we saw from James Washington and Marcell Ateman. And the good news is that he’s just getting started.

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