A Look at Potential Dual-Threat QBs in OSU’s Future

With the recent addition of 2018 recruitJaelyn Nolan, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have established a talented dual-threat quarterback pool for the upcoming seasons.

The Cowboys haven’t had a full-time dual threat QB in a while, but they’ve had success with dual-threat quarterbacks in the past. Zach Robinson led the Cowboys to three straight bowl games from 2007-2009, while J.W. Walsh ended an excellent career in 2015 as an effective package quarterback.

Clint Chelf was an effective starter from 2012-2013, and although many don’t consider him a true dual-threat QB, he accrued seven touchdowns and almost 400 yards on the ground in his senior season. Here are the three possible big-time running QBs that OSU will have on roster for the future.

All of this could change of course if Mike Gundy and Co. decide to move one of these guys to a new position which they likely will (we just don’t know which one yet).

Spencer Sanders

Sanders operates in an offense similar to Baylor’s former one, where spread sets and vertical routes play an integral role in its success. Sanders has good arm strength, although an unpolished release, and has proven his ability to throw on the move both in sprint-out and scramble situations.

He ran a bit in 2016, mostly off of quarterback zone and outside power plays, but he’s not all finesse. There were plenty of rushes from last season where he either lowered his shoulder or hurdled a man instead of cutting around him. It is unclear how much and how effectively he will run in 2017, as Spencer will be coming off of an ACL tear from his junior season.

Jaelyn Nolan

Jaelyn Nolan is an exceptional athlete who will not likely stay at the quarterback position. He played QB in high school, and he was an adequate passer. He will probably be moved to another position, possibly as a member of the secondary on defense. But Nolan would still be an excellent fit for the package quarterback role that the Cowboys so frequently used in Walsh’s last season with OSU, as he is an adept runner but also has the ability to pass.

Keondre Wudtee

Keondre Wudtee came out of high school with many calling him the next Trevone Boykin. Just like Boykin, he has impressive arm strength and an uncanny ability to scramble. He made plenty of plays in high school eluding pressure and throwing on the move, and that’s something that the Cowboys haven’t really had in a while. Wudtee doesn’t fit the mold of a package quarterback like Walsh did, but especially after his redshirt season in 2016, he’s a favorite to start after Rudolph’s departure.

It will be interesting to see what the Cowboys will do with these quarterbacks in the future, especially if a non-running signal caller, say Jelani Woods or Taylor Cornelius, were to win the starting job. Another thing to wonder about is how this would affect offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s game plans and if they would lean heavily on the quarterback in their run game.

Either way, a quarterback with the ability to run makes any offense more difficult to stop, and the Cowboys will have that advantage for the next couple of seasons following 2017.