Ranking OSU’s 10 Outgoing Seniors Who Will Be Most Missed

Oklahoma State, as it is currently constructed, has just one game left. Gone will be Jordan Sterns and Jhajuan Seales. In will be the Wallace Bros. and Jelani Woods. OSU will still be great next season, but it will look far different. With only the bowl game in front of us, let’s take a look at the the top seniors on a Cowboy team that was the Big 12’s most experienced coming into the fall.

No. 10: Jhajuan Seales – WR

The third-leading receiver for the Cowboys has been a contributor since his redshirt-freshman season. While he’s never been the No. 1 option for Cowboy quarterbacks, he’s been consistent and always offers that big-play potential. Sure, there is plenty of talent coming back and coming in next year, but you can’t undersell his consistent production.

No. 9: Victor Salako – OT

When the UAB-transfer came to Stillwater prior to 2015 the offensive line was in dire straits. After two years he will leave an o-line group that, while still looking for improvement, has taken a few steps in the right direction. He’s improved right along with his fellow lineman.

An important question will be who takes his spot opposite Zachary Crabtree. Guard Michael Wilson is also a senior. How will Greg Adkins be able to cycle his guys through with the first turnover he’s experienced since taking over the group two years prior? We might have an answer.

No. 8: Ashton Lampkin – CB

Lampkin has missed extended time throughout his career due to injury and the Cowboys have missed him each time he’s gone out. After losing two starters last year in Kevin Peterson and Michael Hunter, the Cowboys will be without Lampkin and transfer Lenzy Pipkins for 2017, leaving another year of questions in the secondary.

No. 7: Chris Carson – RB

The former Georgia commit came to Stillwater with lofty if not unfair expectations. After not struggling with injury and playing behind a struggling offensive line. Now, after missing four games due to another injury, Carson finished the season spectacularly and became the perfect partner for emerging star Justice Hill.

Next season the Cowboys will be without Carson and fellow seniors Rennie Childs and Barry J. Sanders. While Justice Hill will be penciled in as next year’s starter, there will be questions about who comes in behind him. Jeff Carr will be the only upperclassman in the Cowboys’ running back room.

No. 6: Devante Averette – LB

After getting picked by Glenn Spencer from the JUCO ranks, Averette suffered a season-ending injury before he could make much of a splash. The next year he came back and added big contributions on special teams and into the defensive depth including a fumble return-touchdown against UTSA.

Averette’s toughness and play-making ability have earned him serious playing time and he has made a huge impact in 2016. The third-year transfer linebacker is second behind Jordan Sterns in tackles.

No. 5: Blake Jarwin- CW

The former walk-on tight end has become the poster child for Mike Gundy and assistant coach Jason McEndoo’s Cowboy Back position. His size and good hands have made him a potent if underused weapon in Mason Rudolph’s arsenal. In just 17 catches Jarwin has a touchdown and an average of 17 yards per.

No. 5a: Zac Veatch- CW

Jawin’s backup Zac Veatch is also a senior and while used less as receiver, has been huge in the Cowboys run support and pass protection. When he has gotten the ball, he’s come up with some big plays including a touchdown against Central Michigan.

Veatch, who played guard for the 2014-team’s extra-thin O-line is a good blocker and has been one of the main catalysts in the Cowboys’ recent rushing success. One of Mike Yurcich’s biggest questions next fall will be how to replace both Jarwin and Veatch.

No. 4: Ben Grogan – K

The four-year starting place kicker eclipsed Dan Bailey as Oklahoma State’s all-time scorer earlier this year. He’s been a heart-breaker for OSU fans (especially early in his career). He’s been a heart-breaker for other fans. He’s been clutch. He’s been a Bedlam hero.

Freshman Matt Ammendola definitely has the leg to take over for Grogan but is unproven as place kicker. For as much flack as he caught from OSU fans over the years, Grogan should be considered an all-time great and will be missed.

No. 3: Motekiai Maile – DT

While junior Vincent Taylor was making his case for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Maile has consistently been solid his entire career. Mailed has 22 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, two QB hurries, two pass breakups and 6.0 tackles for loss through 12 games this year. With his departure the much-lauded depth in the interior defensive line takes a hit.

No. 2: Jordan Burton – LB

Coming over from Kilgore Community College prior to last season, Jordan Burton saw immediate playing time with the Cowboys and finished second on the team in tackles last season (98) and fifth this year (59). He’s a big hitter who plays well in space. He was a huge get for the Cowboys who lost depth at linebacker when another former transfer Josh Furman had fulfilled his eligibility.

No. 1: Jordan Sterns – S

If you thought the secondary had its questions this past off-season, get ready for 2017. Without the aforementioned Lampkin and Pipkins, Glenn Spencer’s back-end cover team will miss Sterns the most.

Playing as a freshman and leading the team in tackles every year since, the senior safety has been one of the most consistent Cowboy defenders ever. Glenn Spencer is going to miss Sterns not only for his production but also for his leadership.

Sterns is sitting at 96 total tackles, five tackles for loss, five pass breakups and three interceptions. The past two seasons he broke triple digits in tackles (108 and 103) and he’s four away from his third. Sterns figures to be only the second OSU player to lead the team in tackles three straight years.