Football

Who are Oklahoma State’s 2016 Preferred Walk-ons?

Published

8 years ago

June 3, 2016

Oklahoma State’s 2016 recruiting class ranked No. 44 nationally according to 247sports. But if there were rankings on a preferred walk-on group, the Cowboys would have high marks across the board. The coaching staff put together a very solid class of preferred walk-ons, who will start their careers without scholarship with a chance to earn it down the road.

The group of players helped address needs across the board at offensive line, skill positions such as athletes and receivers, and even an extremely undervalued local quarterback who has drawn praise in the offseason.

Let’s take a look at some of the players who will be joining OSU as PWO’s in 2016:

Nyc Burns, QB – Tulsa, OK

Burns had a big senior season for Berryhill and had several other Div. I opportunities, but instead elected to walk-on at OSU for a chance to become a starting quarterback at Oklahoma State. Burns is a 6-foot-5 quarterback who is very agile and mobile for a prospect his size, and he has a strong arm to get the ball down field, too.

Remember Nick Starkel? Think of a more mobile, athletic Nick Starkel with better statistics. That’s Nyc Burns.

Ja’Ron Wilson, RB – Euless, TX

Wilson is another prime example of a prospect with other opportunities who chose the chance to become a big-time name at OSU. Wilson turned down 12 scholarship offers from the likes of Ark. State, Colorado State, Kansas, Illinois and others. The 5-foot-10 thumper from Texas hails from high school powerhouse Trinity High, which consistently churns out high level college talent. He’s had plenty of exposure to high level competition in high school which should definitely prepare him well for the next level. The group of running backs is a veteran bunch this coming season, but next year he’ll have as good a chance as any to make an impact and potentially see playing time.

Both Wilson and Burns were rated as three-star prospects by recruiting services. However, because they were walk-on players, their overall rating did not contribute to the rating of the 2016 recruiting class. (Tidbit credit to Travis Burns)

Zach and Cade Smith, DE/OLB – Pleasanton, TX

The twins from Pleasanton turned down several offers to become Cowboys and play in the Big 12, the same conference their father played in. After his commitment 6 months ago, he told PFB this about OSU: “It’s always been a dream of mine, so getting the opportunity from the amazing coaching staff at OSU was one I just couldn’t pass up.”

The twins arrived in Stillwater on Wednesday, as did most of the 2016 class.

Sheldon Barnes, OL – Jenks, Okla.

Barnes is a 6-foot-5, 315-pound guard from Jenks, where OSU has found great success in recent years recruiting. Fortunately for OSU, Barnes comes from being coached by Allan Trimble, probably one of the top 5 coaches in the state regardless of the level of football. Barnes is a bit raw and could be seen as a project. But 6-5, 315-lbs. doesn’t come around often. Perhaps the coaching staff can work on technique and mold him into a productive Div. I player.