Daily Bullets (January 9)

Good morning. The Fightin’ Undies return home this week, baseball is right around the corner, wrestling is still ranked No. 1 (I’m not even going to double-check if this is true) and Mike Gundy has sent all the three-star offers you can possibly keep up with. Exciting times in Stillwater. As always, we appreciate you reading PFB.

Cell phone ban

Brad Underwood forbid his team from bringing cell phones to team dinners during its Texas swing? My wife has been trying to get me to do this for months. Now I’m inspired.

One attempt involved the banning of cell phones at a team dinner out on Thursday, as well as a no-headphones rule in team meetings, forcing teammates to actually talk to each other. A current day novel concept for sure; parents you know what I’m talking about. Underwood believes the time together was productive, with the first step seen in Waco. [NewsOK]

Best low-stars from Texas

This is a cool list of the best overlooked players from the state of Texas in recruiting over the last decade. Jonathan Football is No. 1, but Justin Gilbert and Kendall Hunter both made the list.

Hunter would be higher on this list were it not for a series of injuries that robbed him of a decent junior year, but he still finished fourth among OSU’s career rushing leaders with 4,181 yards and 37 touchdowns. He twice crossed the 1,500-yards mark in a season, and helped the Cowboys to their first-ever 11-win campaign his senior year. Had he stayed healthy as a junior, Hunter might’ve been among the top 10 all-time in career yardage – though he also might’ve bolted for the NFL a year early, too [Dallas Morning News]

Can Sterns play in the NFL?

After four seasons at OSU with 325 tackles, 12 pass breakups, five interceptions and three forced fumbles, Sterns lets his play do the talking.

“I’ve had several opportunities since my sophomore year to show that,” Sterns said before the 38-8 Alamo Bowl victory against Colorado. “That’s one thing I try not to get caught up in. I know I’m talented. I know I can play football. I’ve been blessed to do such. So, really I just go out there and have fun. I think NFL teams will see my passion and my ability from just watching tape.” [NewsOK]

It’s a valid question. I said this on the podcast, but Sterns reminds me of a classic Eddie Sutton player from the early 2000s. An Ivan McFarlin or maybe a Melvin Sanders. Just a terrific four-year college player who likely won’t be able to play at the next level. But who knows. I think Sterns’ body is built more for the pros than some of those basketball guys I mentioned.

In-state talent

Cool story here about a QB/safety from Wagoner.

Malcolm Rodriguez was nearly leaving his home with his family for Wagoner’s annual Christmas parade when he received a phone call with news he never thought would happen. A scholarship offer from Oklahoma State was waiting. “I just got red-faced. It was crazy,” Rodriguez said. “In the back of my mind I wanted to go there all along. I was just trying to keep my cool and everything. I was excited.” [NewsOK]

The last guy who played defensive back and came from Wagoner was pretty decent.

Kevin Peterson with the pick six to give #OKState White the early lead over the Orange. https://t.co/dGTCD8DEha

— Oklahoma State (@OSUAthletics) April 18, 2015

More Sports News

Chip Kelly to Cal? He would crush there … This Rory McIlroy interview is spectacular, truly one of the most thoughtful people in all of sports entertainment … This is amazing.

I've watched this no fewer than 30 times. https://t.co/4LcVgsifxs

— Scott @ WFNY (@WFNYScott) January 6, 2017

More PFB

Underwood upbeat despite third-straight L … an OSU recruit was named the Oklahoman’s All-State Defensive POY.

More Stuff I’m Reading

A view from the top (I just subscribed to the NYT so you’re likely going to see more stories from there over the next few months) … Which Michelle Obama will we get when she leaves the White House … Yes, it’s your parents’ fault … a $6,000 work station!