How Good Is Mike Gundy at Producing NFL Talent?

As last weekend’s NFL Draft dragged on, we waited patiently for a former Cowboy to hear his name called.

Day 1 …

Day 2 …

Day 3.

Finally, towards the end of Saturday, in the 6th round, Vincent Taylor heard the inevitable, yet overdue, ring of his phone and was informed that he would be selected by Miami. One round later, Chris Carson started packing his bags for the opposite corner of the country after John Schneider and Pete Carroll of Seattle made him their final draft pick of 2017.

The lack of early-round talent (or draft picks at all) is not strictly an Oklahoma State problem. It’s a Big 12 problem. The conference finished dead last in the number of players drafted out of all Power 5 conferences — and it wasn’t close.

2017 Draft Picks

1. SEC – 53
2. ACC – 42
3. Pac-12 – 36
4. Big Ten – 35
5. Big 12 – 14

In fact, the American Athletic Conference had one more draftee (15) than the flyover union and Conference USA wasn’t far behind with 9.

Whether it’s due to a vast talent gap between the Big 12 and the others, or slanted perception — or both; you can’t argue with the numbers. Either perception becomes reality or reality influences perception.

But at the very least, Oklahoma State has been one of the more consistent teams in the Big 12 when it comes to getting players drafted.

Here is an interesting stat that shows current streaks of schools having at least one player drafted each year. Oklahoma State sits at nine straight beside Big 12 peers Baylor and TCU, as well as Utah and Alabama(?!)

Active streaks of consecutive years with at least 1 player taken in the #NFLDraft. #GoBlue #FightOn pic.twitter.com/LCU3mUWRVq

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) April 30, 2017

Obviously, this is just one stat. A technicality, really. Oklahoma State is not on par with Alabama in the terms of producing NFL talent. The Crimson Tide had 11 players declare for the 2017 Draft and 10 were selected — all in the first 4 rounds. OSU had two players drafted, both late on Saturday.

Furthermore, OSU has had only one player taken in four of the last five drafts.

Here’s a look at Oklahoma State’s draft picks since Mike Gundy took over in January of 2005. Granted, he took over immediately following the 2004 Alamo Bowl and that draft class was coached by Les Miles, but that is the number of draftees OSU is claiming for Gundy so we’ll stick with that.

During Gundy’s 13 years as head coach, 21 Cowboys have been selected in the Draft. That’s six first-rounders, two second-rounders, one third-rounder, two fourth-rounders, one fifth-rounder, five sixth-rounders and four in the final round of the Draft.

If we want to eliminate any conference bias, let’s just look at the draft picks for the teams currently in the Big 12 over that same span.

It’s not top-heavy. It’s a landslide.

Since Mike Gundy took the reins in Stillwater, his I-35 counterpart has sent almost 3 1/2 times as many players to the NFL. That’s over 5.5 picks per year to Gundy’s 1.6 average. Now this doesn’t completely nullify T. Boone’s gripe with the Bedlam record but it definitely casts another light on the series.

But … recruiting is part of the job.

There are reasons for the difference. It’s hard to recruit to Stillwater. You’re always competing with Oklahoma and Texas for a lot of the same recruits. And Gundy admits that he would rather leave a 5-star waiting if he has his eye on a solid 3-star with a good head on his shoulders.

The Cowboys find their gems. Their Dez Bryants and Justin Blackmons. They get their Russell Okungs. They have a couple of potential first-rounders on their roster for this fall. The players then send to the NFL generally find a lot of success. They just don’t send enough of them.

Will Mike Gundy ever average four draft picks a year? That would be quite a jump. Is this just as good as it gets at OSU or can the program even climb to that next level? Or will Gundy’s group of assistants continue to climb the recruiting rankings to a top tier status? That likely comes with continued and increased success in the win column.

With all that being said, Oklahoma State just might have a shot at a College Playoff berth this year, if Gundy can exorcise his crimson demons. Not to mention, that might mean beating the Sooners twice. Does that mean it can’t get better? Or does it start from there?

Mike Gundy is an enigma. He is both stubborn and stuck in his ways while also being both forward thinking and innovative. He is often simultaneously the butt of social media jokes (even as he’s in on them) and the unquestioned leader of a major college football program, a school and a fan base. He might be the most interesting man in college football.

So we’re left to admire the coaching job he’s done and the culture he’s nurtured at Oklahoma State. We’re also left to wonder what else the program could be under Gundy.

Oklahoma State draft picks during Gundy’s tenure

2017

• Vincent Taylor – 194th overall (6th round)
• Chris Carson – 249th (7th round)

2016

• Emmanuel Ogbah – 32nd overall (2nd round)

2015

• Josh Furman – 252nd overall (7th round)

2014

• Justin Gilbert – 8th overall (1st round)

2013

• Joseph Randle – 151st overall (5th round)

2012

• Justin Blackmon – 5th overall (1st round)
• Brandon Weeden – 22nd overall (1st round)
• Markelle Martin – 190th overall (6th round)

2011

• Kendall Hunter – 115th overall (4th round)

2010

• Russell Okung – 6th overall (1st round)
• Dez Bryant – 24th overall (1st round)
• Perrish Cox – 137th (5th round)
• Zac Robinson – 250th (7th round)

2009

• Brandon Pettigrew – 20th overall (1st round)

2008

• No Draft picks

2007

• Ryan McBean – 132nd overall (4th round)
• Corey Hilliard – 209th (6th round)

2006

• Charlie Johnson – 199th overall (6th round)

2005

• Darrent Williams – 56th overall (2nd round)
• Vernand Morency – 73rd overall (3rd round)
• Billy Bajema – 249th overall (7th round)