OSU’s Young Players Show Flashes of What’s to Come in Texas Bowl Loss

Oklahoma State’s 24-21 loss to Texas A&M in Friday night’s Texas Bowl was anything but uplifting, but what happened in those four quarters in Houston certainly was. There was Chuba Hubbard darting for 158 yards rushing, because of course. There was Dru Brown doing his best Joe Burrow impression (for a half). There was OSU’s defense looking like Alabama’s (also for a half).

Then, there were the flashes. You saw them. The spark plays from OSU’s youth growing up right before our eyes. Redshirt sophomore receiver Braydon Johnson scoring twice on his way to a career-high 124 yards receiving and two scores. True freshman defensive end Trace Ford getting a team-high two QB hurries, a TFL and a massive forced fumble. And then there was JT2 (Jason Taylor II), OSU’s in-state get a year ago who made his first start Friday and balled all the way out.

These flashes from OSU’s youth aren’t just the bright spot on a dreary day (although they’re that, too); they’re the future of OSU’s football program and reason to buy stock. Come next season, they could all parlay this bowl outing into stardom. Let’s take a look at all three and assess their chances to become OSU’s next crop of studs as early as next season.

1. Braydon Johnson, WR

OSU nabbed Johnson out of Arlington-Bowie as part of its 2017 recruiting class, and while he’s not made the leap, he’s certainly been the subject of buzz. Particularly, Johnson’s speed has always been his best asset. He’s Will Fuller-like in the way he can stretch the field. And when he sees some open turf ….

Dru Brown ➡️ Braydon Johnson. Oklahoma State is on the board pic.twitter.com/bVGSXEh3Dd

— Sports Daily (@SportsDGI) December 28, 2019

OSU receivers coach Kasey Dunn spoke highly of Johnson in the preseason, but he never quite had a boom-game like he did Friday night against the Aggies. Maybe more will come. Opportunities may be limited, though. Tylan Wallace’s NFL decision remains unknown, and he could return. Dillon Stoner and Landon Wolf are back, too. If Johnson’s going to crack into the next level as a player, he’ll have to be making good in a short rotation and perhaps in a non-starting role. Though if he plays this offseason like he did Friday … that may not be the case.

2. Trace Ford, DE

Me when I think of what Trace Ford will be with a full offseason under Robert Glass:

Ford was a highly-touted recruit, and people around the program thought he’d have a bright future. I don’t think anyone expected he’d be a starting defensive end as a true freshman. And a stud, at that. His frame was never a question, but his technique is way better than anticipated. This guy’s future at OSU is scary. But, like, the good scary. It’s not impossible to think he makes an Emmanuel Ogbah-like leap from freshman to sophomore year and just becomes a star next season.

3. Jason Taylor II, S

A knee injury to Kolby Harvell-Peel and a suspension for Tre Sterling thrust Oklahoma product Jason Taylor II into starting duties Friday, and he made the most of the opportunity. Taylor finished with eight tackles and a tackle for loss in the game, and he appears ready to compete for a bigger role in the safety rotation next season. Harvell-Peel is entrenched as the starter at that spot, but the way he played, OSU’d be crazy to not find a way to get him on the field. He’s 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, has great closing speed and plays downhill. It might’ve taken some unusual circumstances for him to make his first start, but it was an eye-opener that showed us he’s ready to make a leap next season as a redshirt sophomore.