Tyron Johnson Had a Coming Out Party Against Oklahoma

Before Tyron Johnson ever played a game for Oklahoma State, he was waging Twitter wars against Baker Mayfield in the heat of the offseason — the guy who tossed for 5 touchdowns and probably secured his status as the Heisman favorite in Bedlam.

Mayfield had the better game of the two on Saturday, but Tyron — a former five-star who has flip-flopped from inside receiver to out all season — delivered on his game-changing potential against the Sooners. He finished with a career-high 118 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 4 receptions, sniffing James Washington-like efficiency.

“Tyron has done a good job,” said Mike Yurcich on Saturday. “He has moved from outside to inside back to outside. That young man is doing an incredible job of grasping the concepts and providing us a lot of versatility and depth.”

If this is the definition of depth for Oklahoma State in 2017, I want Bama like … ASAP.

Depth was an apt word on Saturday, however. OSU’s leading receiver, James Washington, exited the game with an ankle injury and did not return, which forced Tyron, his backup (!), into starting duties on the outside.

Tyron performed admirably, finishing second in yards through the air behind Washington. But Yurcich said the loss of No. 28 was still a blow.

“He is such a special player,” Yurcich said. “You are going to feel that impact. I think we did a great job. I think Tyron did a great job and the guys that came in and moved around. I wouldn’t sit here and tell you that we didn’t miss a beat. The impact of James is significant because of how dynamic of a player he is and what he can do.”

Not to take anything away from Washington, but the simple fact that OSU can plug and play Tyron Johnson in that scenario is still borderline unbelievable to me. This kid is a special talent, without question. Look at him throwing Parnell Motley into a spin cycle of emotion here on this nasty move on the outside!

Johnson has been up-and-down all season in terms of both opportunity and overall production, but given the chance to shine, he’s lit up like the Fourth of July. And perhaps one of the biggest ‘what if’s’? in OSU history — what if Rudolph hadn’t overthrown Tyron on that 4th-and-8 with the game on the line? — is now centered around him.

He was an under-the-radar hero against OU, but he could’ve been Superman with a cape gliding in to capture a potential game-winner if Rudolph puts more air on that pass that effectively ended the game.

I’m not psychic by any means, but I saw the future on Saturday night in Boone Pickens Stadium. And I think No. 13 might be it.