How Jalen McCleskey Has Become a Star

Jalen McCleskey might stand 5’10”, but he’s been enormous this season for the Oklahoma State Cowboys offense. When Marcell Ateman went down with a foot injury near the end of the summer, there was a void at WR opposite James Washington.

The entire receiving corps. has been solid this season, With Washington doing his usual thing, Jhajuan Seales showing moments of brilliance and Chris Lacy coming up with two touchdowns against West Virginia.

But it’s been Jalen McCleskey that has been solid every single week, producing in the clutch and establishing himself as a trusted target for Mason Rudolph.

❄️❄️ in my veins ?? #ShoTime?

A photo posted by jalen mccleskey?? (@lilsho_2) on Oct 8, 2016 at 6:21pm PDT

McCleskey showed flashes as a freshman in 2015, with 29 catches for 253 yards and three touchdowns. He showed some speed and elusiveness in the return game as well. But no one could have expected he would break out huge in 2016, almost matching James Washington in production.

Washington will go down as one of the most prolific receivers in Oklahoma State’s history, but No. 1 has burst onto the scene as a star his sophomore season too. Mike Yurcich addressed it earlier this week.

“He’s always seen himself as a productive player, and he has anticipated this success, it seems to me,” said Yurcich. “You know, his dad has done a really great job, he comes from great lineage and an athletic family. He’s grounded as well, he’s a very mature player.

A”t the same time, He knows there’s still room to grow, and there’s room to improve. But he’s anticipated having success, that’s the big part. His self-perception is that he was always a very good player, he wasn’t surprised, and he’s earned it.”

“He’s in the right spot in our schemes, if the other team is going to try and play heavy on James,” added Mike Gundy. “But he’s also a good football player. He has a gym-rat mentality and he plays fearless.”

Dana Holgorsen rode for No. 1 after last week’s game too.

“James Washington is good as advertised,” said Holgorsen. “Jalen McCleskey is pretty damn good too. They’ve got a couple good players. You can probably attract pretty good players to a place like this. They did a good job.”

As Oklahoma State heads into the home stretch with some very tough road tests against Kansas State, TCU, and Oklahoma looming, and teams doubling James Washington constantly, Mason Rudolph will need Jalen McCleskey’s unique ability to create space from his defender and make huge catches in traffic.