Role Play: Tylan Wallace Primed for More Targets in 2018

Many were surprised when true freshman Tylan Wallace first stepped onto the field in 2017. With such a stacked group of receivers, it made sense for Wallace to redshirt. He finished the season with modest numbers – just seven catches for 118 yards – but showed flashes of what he could do with a larger role.

Luckily for Wallace, more playing time is imminent in 2018, and the first-game butterflies will have departed long before he walks out of the tunnel and onto the field as a sophomore.

The Cowboys’ receiving corps took a hit this offseason with James Washington, Marcell Ateman and Chris Lacy looking for an opportunity at the next level. This leaves Jalen McCleskey, Dillon Stoner and Tyron Johnson as the only receivers with more experience than Wallace, leaving Wallace in prime position for an increase in targets, along with a handful of other freshmen who redshirted last season.

That’s a lot of production gone, which means some players are inevitably going to get more looks. The passing offense probably won’t be as effective without Mason Rudolph, but there’s undoubtedly a huge chunk of touches available.

Although Wallace doesn’t have the extra year of eligibility he would have if he redshirted, many believe he’s talented enough to bolt for the NFL after his junior season, anyway.

He’ll surely have ample opportunity to display his talents playing in the Big 12 and particularly in Oklahoma State’s offense.

Wallace was a four-star prospect while at South Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He was tabbed as a top-20 receiver in the country, and drew offers from Texas, Washington, Michigan, Notre Dame, and others. He smartly chose OSU, aka #WideReceiverU, for a chance to play in a high-octane offense while learning from receivers coach Kasey Dunn.

It’ll be fun to see the possibilities for Wallace in 2018. He’s capable of beating defenses from the slot and is great after the catch, but he also possesses great speed off the line and will be a deep threat for whomever wins the job at quarterback.

Because that position is unknown, it’s tough to predict the exact volume and production that’ll come from the passing game, but with a strong running game, one of the nation’s best offensive coordinators (I don’t wanna hear it, #FireYurcich crowd), and plenty of talent around him, I expect Wallace to rack up the yardage and become familiar with the end zone in 2018.