Some Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s Depth Chart for Tulsa

During Friday’s media availability, Oklahoma State released its two-deep projected depth chart for the season opener on August 31 against Tulsa.

Here are some quick thoughts.

• The first thing that sticks out to me is what I don’t see. Clemson graduate transfer Adrian Baker is not listed. A.J. Green and Rodarius Williams are the projected starters which isn’t a shock but Baker is apparently behind sophomore Madre Harper and senior Malik Kearse. Mike Gundy addressed this at his presser, and we will have an update shortly.

• All the ORs. Running back depth will be a work in progress with so many young pieces in play.  Although we reported that J.D. King would be the No. 2, he’s listed in a four-way tie with Ja’Ron Wilson, LD Brown and Chuba Hubbard on the official chart. We expect King to take the bulk of the carries behind Hill to start the season.

• Backup QB shows an “OR” but Taylor Cornelius has been getting more reps with the No. 2s. It’s still possible that Gundy tries to insert a J.W. Walsh-type role and Keonde Wudtee may be the guy for that.

• Britton Abbott OR Sione Finefeuiaki get the No. 1 spot over Keenen Brown at Cowboy Back. The newcomer, Finefeuiaki, must be taking to the offense quickly. He’s a bowling ball with legs and could be a key tool in run blocking. Brown is listed third.

• It’s a real thing. We’ve been talking about this receiver corps for months but to actually see it on paper, wow. The No. 1s are James Washington, Jalen McCleskey and Chris Lacy or Marcell Ateman. Tyron Johnson will get plenty of reps though, and this is just a pick-your-poison situation. Dillon Stoner is going to be a fun to watch backing up Jalen McCleskey in the slot. Tylan Wallace is not on the two deep, but we still expect him to play.

• The defensive end position is probably the deepest position group on the roster. No, I didn’t forget the receivers. You have six legitimate starters but it appears Cole Walterscheid is the only one to nail down a No. 1 spot. Opposite him is Jarrell Owens OR Vili Leveni. Behind him is the Cowboys’ leading returner in sacks — who’s never started a game — Tralund Webber OR Jordan Brailford who impressed down the stretch of 2015 but missed all of 2016 with injury.

All these guys are good and they will all get burn as Spencer likes to keep legs fresh.

• Linebackers are about where we thought they would be. Kenneth Edison McGruder gets an “OR” with Calvin Bundage. Glenn Spencer called them his 1a and 1b at Star linebacker. Chad Whitener and Justin Phillips get the start at the Mike and Will backer spots.

• On special teams, Tyron Johnson is going to start the Tulsa game with a 100-yard kickoff return TD isn’t he? McCleskey keeps his spot as punt returner with Dillon Stoner backing him up.

• Matt Ammendola will continue to handle kickoff duties but is sharing an OR with Matt Hockett for place kicker. He’s still the clubhouse leader but this just further illustrates that no one has walked in and taken the job for himself.