Five Observations on the Oklahoma State Football Depth Chart

OSU released it’s post-training camp depth chart Thursday in advance of next Saturday’s season opener. Kyle P. broke down his thoughts and some of the biggest strengths and weaknesses. I had some leftover thoughts I wanted to write too, to try and cover some questions I myself had.

5. The cornerback depth is concerning

On the two-deep released, it’s not a surprise that Ashton Lampkin and Ramon Richards are listed as starters. And behind them, Lenzy Pipkins and Darius Curry aren’t all that surprising, either. But one surprise to me is that true freshman and early enrollee Madre Harper from Lamar High School wasn’t able to crack the two-deep, and he hasn’t been addressed but it sounds as if he may redshirt. To add to that, Gundy named six freshman who should play this season and of that group only one cornerback was named: AJ Green, a former DeSoto product.

4. The running back group tells us nothing, for now

There were four running backs listed on the depth chart upon its release, and when asked about sophomore Jeff Carr’s mysterious omission, Gundy responded with a deer-in-the-headlights look like I’d never seen — which tells me that he actually could be riding with five dudes headed into the season. The first couple games of the season could be a ‘live game tryout’ of sorts, and the winners of the battle will potentially take off into the season. On the scenario, Gundy did note that he’d like to skinny down the group. “I’d say we need to use fewer backs at certain positions,” Gundy said in his press conference Thursday. “We have certain guys that can do certain things for our offense. Some of them will be in two-back sets and some of them won’t be in. There is more flexibility with them.” For now there’s no clarity, but freshman Justice Hill may be emerging as the leader in the clubhouse.

“He has play-making ability,” Mike Yurcich said. “He is a very well-rounded tailback, and he’s really good through the hole. It’s going to be interesting to see who emerges out of that.”

3. Senior talent wins out at cowboy back

Blake Jarwin, the All Big-12 selection from 2015, is the obvious starter with experience and proven production at cowboy back, with Zac Veatch listed at No. 2. But behind them, there’s still Keenen Brown who didn’t crack the list but is in line to get some playing time after making the move from receiver to cowboy back. “He’s a kid with a big body that can catch any ball thrown to him. He just finds a way to get open,” Jarwin said about Brown to The Oklahoman. “I can’t wait to see him on the field this year.”

2. The kicking job

Field goal duties is going to Ben Grogan and punting is Zach Sinor. But the real question is if Ben Grogan will continue his role in kickoff duties, or if Matt Amendola, trick kicker extraordinaire or anyone else can supplant him. Amendola may have the stronger leg between the two, and it could be a passing of the baton of sorts to let Amendola take over in a larger role in that capacity. But Gundy, who invited students to an open tryout, alluded to perhaps finding a guy through the open invite. Said Gundy, “They’re in a kicking competition right now. Don’t ask me their names.”

1. The O-line group is pretty much the same

Of the starters listed on the depth chart, only Marcus Keyes is the new true starter with Salako, Lundblade, Robinson and Crabtree all returning from last year. From the release it looks like junior college all-american Larry Williams is No. 2 behind Keyes at left guard, which could be a guy to watch and see if he is able to take over one of the starting spots at guard. Outside of that, this is still a group that I’m skeptical about, and Gundy didn’t do anything to change that by tempering expectations in his presser. He stated he wants to expect 125 rushing yards per game which he says “would be like Christmas” from last year. But 125 yards per game would have ranked No. 113 in the country last season — the exact spot they finished last year by averaging 126.8.