Fleming: Four Oklahoma State Player Predictions for 2019

With Oklahoma State now into the offseason, the team says goodbye to a number of important players from the 2018 campaign and holds some uncertainty in their absence. The Cowboys are losing a number of starters at key positions, but here are four predictions of what’s to come for those who will likely step up in their place.

Chuba Will Be an All-Big 12 Player

This seems to be a no-brainer. Chuba Hubbard has a bright future with Oklahoma State. He enters his sophomore season as the starting running back and will likely get an upgrade in carries in the first half of the season with a new quarterback and a recently stripped-down running back stable.

Hubbard had 969 total yards and nine touchdowns this season, and the dual-track star lived up to the hype in his first year of action. Expect him to easily reach 1,000 yards in 2019, and considering how he’ll likely be used in the running and passing game and special teams, Hubbard could easily pick up an All-Big 12 honor in his first starting season.

Cowboys’ Second-Unit of Receivers Will Be Just as Dangerous

This is one position group that, unlike most others, isn’t losing anyone. It will be overflowing with talent and the second unit will be a scary thing for opposing defenses. Patrick McKaufman, LC Greenwood, Jonathan Shepherd and CJ Moore are all above 6-3 and will be expected to compete for playing time in 2019. Moore, for one, was OSU’s highest-rated recruit in the 2018 class, and the 6-5 receiver will enter 2019 with the chance to make an impact in the Cowboys’ rotation.

Don’t forget that the unit gets Tyron Johnson, Dillon Stoner, Tylan Wallace and Landon Wolf back, making this one of the deepest receiver stables in the Big 12.

Mike Scott Will Take Over Jordan Brailford’s Role, Production

Mike Scott had a quiet, but solid, first-year campaign with the Cowboys in 2018. The rising senior posted 10 solo tackles and three sacks, which was third on the team.

The Pokes are losing six rotational defensive lineman. Additionally, all the remaining defensive ends on the roster except for one are currently freshmen, with the exception being a sophomore. Scott will enter the season as of the lone upperclassmen with valuable experience.

He might not be able to be used just like Brailford was, especially in terms of coverage and roaming at the second level, but Scott will have the opportunity to have his breakout season as a senior.

Tom Hutton Will Become Fan Favorite

This guy is a unique story. He’s a 28-year-old Australian carpenter-turned-punter who’s getting his first experience with college football. He apparently has a booming leg, which he should, as he comes from Australian rules football. In fact, he was supposed to be the captain of his Aussie team before he signed with OSU, which tells you he’s more athletic than the average American punter and, more intriguingly, he can hit.