Oklahoma State Recruiting: Grading the 2018 RB Class

Oklahoma State’s running back room is loaded with youth and talent, as guys like Chuba Hubbard, J.D. King and L.D. Brown look to make big impacts as underclassmen next season in the shadow of Justice Hill.

With the luxury of an All-Big 12 performer and a Canadian rocket redshirting last season, Oklahoma State’s urgency to land a big class at running back was suppressed, leading to only one signee in the 2018 class in Jahmyl Jeter.

Despite the signing being less touted than others Marcus Arroyo reeled in, Jeter’s a solid back who picked OSU over A&M, among others, after decommitting from SMU. So as we’ve done with the receivers, safeties, defensive line and linebackers, lets grade the class.

Ability to produce right away

Given the depth of the running back room, it would likely take an injury — maybe two — to put Jahmyl Jeter on the field in 2018. Not a knock on his talent, but I think Jeter will be best seeing a redshirt season, bulking up, and getting up to around 230 pounds before he sees action in Stillwater.

No running back in this class — unless OSU signed a top-100 can’t miss prospect — was expected to be a day one contributor, simply because of OSU’s weapons it boasts next season. So for that reason, I’m grading this one on a curve. I think he will produce — but not until he sits a year.

ICYMI Jahmyl Jeter signed his NLI with Oklahoma State. The Cowboys picked up a great running back. @Teamjeter28 @BFNDFball @NISD @CowboyFB @InstantReplaySA #KSATsports #okstate #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/zq9IBXTAC1

— Larry Ramirez (@LRam2) February 8, 2018

Grade: B

Long-term potential

Jeter has “higher upside Desmond Roland” written all over him to me. He’s a bell cow who can feature as the work horse of an offense, durable as anyone, and has excellent speed.

Where I see him differing with Roland is his versatility and athleticism, which is far superior than Roland. He also has really solid pass-catching ability which I can see OSU putting to use in down and distance situations if necessary. He’s got a shot to be a really good running back at Oklahoma State down the road.

Grade: A

Addressing needs

Like I mentioned, Oklahoma State didn’t exactly need a running back in this class. Jeter’s a solid get though, and if you look at him as an insurance policy for if/when Justice Hill leaves early for the NFL, it’s not a bad get at all.

The OSU staff could have gone without a signee in the class altogether. Instead, it has a future workhorse, and a prospect that will essentially take the scholarship of Jeff Carr, who transferred after seeing his role reduced. Jeter’s higher upside makes this an interesting add as a stash option who could be the center of an offense down the line.

Grade: A