Oklahoma State 2021 Spring Football Preview: Cowboy Backs

Spring practice rolls on and so does our series taking a peek at each of Oklahoma State’s position groups. Today we’re looking at the Cowboy backs, OSU’s hybrid tight end-fullback, a do-it-all group that often seems under-utilized.

Other Previews: QB | WR | RB

The Cowboy Back Room

Logan Carter, R-Sr., 6-3, 245
Braden Cassity, R-Jr., 6-2, 235
Quinton Stewart, R-Fr., 6-2, 240
Colby Blatnik, R-Fr., 6-2, 215
Price Daube, R-Fr., 6-4, 230
Brendan Mitchell, R-Jr., 6-5, 245

On the Way?

Austin Jarrard (JUCO), 6-3, 245

Top Storyline: OSU Thin at Tight End

If it were not for the NCAA’s COVID-19 extended eligibility, Oklahoma State would not boast a single Cowboy back that had caught a Division-I pass. But Logan Carter is back, taking advantage of his extra year, after a career year of eight receptions for 84 yards and a score in 2020.

Braden Cassity played every game the last two seasons but was primarily seen on special teams and even a tad on defense. Aside from that, the rest of the group taking part in the spring has virtually zero experience.

Help is On the Way

The Cowboys added junior college tight end Austin Jarrard, a three-star prospect ranked No. 2 at his position by 247 Sports. In 2019 he ranked third among JUCO tight ends with 26 catches and amassed 310 yards and three scores.

Jarrard says he models his game after George Kittle (!) — but he’ll have to wait until fall camp to prove he’s the real deal. Meanwhile there’s opportunity for the rest of the Cowboy backs to accumulate much-needed reps.

Those Reps are Crucial

Even if you don’t see a ton of Logan Carter one-handed grabs in the spring game, it doesn’t mean the group hasn’t been working, or getting better.

It remains to be seen just how involved the Cowboys backs will be in the passing game, but the position provides underrated value in pass-blocking and run support, which makes the lack of experienced depth a bit concerning and these spring reps all the more important.