Most Likely Candidates to End OSU’s Heisman Drought, Ranked

It’s been nearly 30 years since Barry Sanders completed the greatest season in college football history and brought home a Heisman trophy for Oklahoma State. Since that time, OSU has boasted many talented players throughout the years—from Justin Blackmon to Brandon Weeden, Joseph Randle to Dez Bryant and Tatum Bell. But none have been able to compile a Heisman-worthy season in the eyes of the voters.

Perhaps this could all change soon. OSU, in the middle of spring, launched a Heisman campaign for senior quarterback Mason Rudolph. And the talent within the program at the skill positions is seemingly more loaded than it ever has been before.

Will the drought end soon? Here’s a look at ten candidates in ascending order from least likely to most likely that could win a Heisman while at Oklahoma State.

10. Tylan Wallace

Reason No. 1: Wallace is the highest-rated wide receiver to sign with OSU since Dez Bryant. Reason No. 2: Mike Gundy called him a quicker twitch version of Josh Stewart. Reason No. 3: He could legitimately break into the deepest receiver rotation in school history as a freshman this season. Expectations for Wallace are high, and rightfully so. He’s a perfect fit in OSU’s offense.

9. J.D. King

King broke nearly every Georgia preps rushing record in high school, and was still an underrated recruit on a national scale. He’s explosive through holes and a decisive runner with Ezekiel Elliott-like running ability. He and Chuba Hubbard are going to wreck opponents as a lethal tandem for years. Despite the hype surrounding Chuba (guilty), King was the more productive runner against a higher level of competition.

8. Spencer Sanders

Sanders is still just an OSU pledge, but he’s been locked in with the Cowboys since 2016. The Denton Ryan product has decent size at 6-foot-1, and has the arm strength and mobility to become an NFL quarterback. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him compete for the starting job from day one in 2018 when the Rudolph era comes to an end.

7. James Washington

I feel a little dirty putting a potential Biletnikoff Award Winner at No. 7, but with OSU going all-in on Rudolph’s Heisman campaign, Washington would need a more than historic season to vault himself into the conversation. If Justin Blackmon didn’t get an invite to New York, I have a hard time thinking James Washington could be. Especially with how loaded OSU’s receiving corps is.

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6. Jelani Woods

A 6-foot-7 quarterback from Georgia, Jelani Woods is going to tower over defenses and toss bombs across the field with no threat of his passes being deflected. He’s got solid throwing mechanics and is a capable runner when needed, too. In fact, his high school offense was tailored around his running ability.

5. Keondre Wudtee

Wudtee’s high school highlights alone are all you need to be convinced that the now-redshirt freshman, has a very high ceiling as a quarterback. His throwing mechanics need refinement, and he’ll never be the down-field passer Mason Rudolph is. But he’s electric as a dual-threat option and looks like Vince Young when he gets into the open field.

4. Tyron Johnson

LSU transfer Tyron Johnson has yet to play a snap in Stillwater, but by the sounds of it he’s basically a mix between Randy Moss, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jerry Rice. (Kidding … I think.) Johnson’s slated to play after sitting out last season due to transfer rules, and in a loaded receiving group that features potentially four future pros, he could be OSU’s No. 2 option right away. Brighter side: He has three years of eligibility remaining.

3. Chuba Hubbard

Canadian speedster Chuba Hubbard has a real shot to make an immediate impact from day one in Stillwater behind All-American Justice Hill. He’s an Olympic sprinter who is likely to arrive at a heavier weight than Hill did a season ago. He’s more than just a speedster, and could develop into an every-down back at OSU. There’s a reason schools like Alabama, Oregon and TCU were all over him in his recruitment. The guy is a flat out stud.

2. Justice Hill

In 2016, Hill became the only OSU freshman to ever surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season. He surpassed Thurman Thomas’ previous record of 843 yards, which was set in 1984, and Mike Hamilton’s freshman record of 961 yards set in 2005. He’s fast. He’s explosive. And he can make you miss. Hill has every weapon necessary to take home the Heisman someday.

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1. Mason Rudolph

Sure, he only has one year of eligibility remaining. But OSU has already kicked off a Heisman campaign for the senior from Rock Hill. He’s got plenty of playmaking options to throw the ball downfield to, and could be primed to take another step forward from his 4,000 yards passing season as a junior.