OSU Football: Five Newbies Who Could Make an Impact in 2018

The 2018 season is 71 days away. 71! That’s as good a reason as any to preview some of the incoming signees who have a chance to make contributions in the upcoming season. So let’s get to that … starting with future QB1, Spencer Sanders.

Spencer Sanders, QB: The dude. Even if Sanders doesn’t win the starting QB job this fall (spoiler: he’s going to win it…), it’s likely we’ll at least see him in spurts thanks to a new redshirt rule OK’d by the NCAA last week.

Sean Michael Flanagan, S: With Jerel Morrow, Tre Flowers, Ramon Richards and Darius Curry all out the door, frosh standout Sean Michael Flanagan, a late addition to the 2018 class who flipped from Arkansas to OSU, could seize an opportunity to grab early playing time at safety. At 6-2, 195, he’s already added more than 10 pounds to his frame and has a jump on the competition after enrolling early.

Michael Scott, DE: Part of me hopes defensive end Michael Scott makes an instant impact in 2018 just so I have an excuse to use this GIF on loop after he makes a tackle or a sack.

The other part of me knows Scott has real potential to make his presence felt, given the fact that he’s spent his fair share of time at the junior college level and done extremely well. He’ll be a rotation guy alongside Cole Walterscheid, Jarrell Owens and Jordan Brailford. Brock Martin will also be a guy to watch who could emerge as a pass-rushing threat.

Jake Ross, TE: NEO transfer Jake Ross, a Coweta High School alum, is a huge reason why there’s optimism the Cowboy Back could make a resurgence in 2018. Ross may be the best pass-catcher among those in his position group, and at 6-6 240, he’s got a height advantage over basically every player in the secondary. He moves really well for a player his size, too, and his soft hands suggest he’ll see some opportunity catching passes.

Amadou Fofana, DE/DT: It’s still not exactly clear which position he’ll play at Oklahoma State, but Highland C.C. product Amadou Fofana is likely to make his presence felt somewhere on OSU’s defensive front. At 6-5, 280, my money is at defensive tackle slotting in as a DeQuinton Osborne-like presence who can stuff the run and get up field to pressure the QB.

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