What 2020 Looks Like if Chuba Hubbard and Tylan Wallace Depart for the NFL

You want to know what keeps Mike Gundy up at night more than a turnover-ridden game in mid-October? The thought of losing his two best players to an early NFL departure.

Chuba Hubbard and Tylan Wallace both have decisions to make about their future over the coming weeks. Wallace is done for the year after a knee injury shortened what was shaping up to be an impressive season on par with the one that made him a Biletnikoff finalist. And Hubbard, currently the nation’s leading rusher, was less than affirmative that he would take part in OSU’s bowl game, much less return for his junior season.

The absence of either Tylan or Chuba on his 2020 roster might send Gundy darting to his medicine cabinet in search of a double Ambien.

Earlier this week we took a peek forward at what type of offensive firepower Oklahoma State would boast should Chuba and Tylan decide to stick around. Now let’s look at the less optimistic — but probably more realistic — chance that either or both of OSU’s top playmakers has played his last game in Stillwater.

Let’s start with the position that OSU is better-equipped to reload at, wide receiver.

I wouldn’t dare to say that Tylan is easy to replace because he’s one of the most impressive receiver talents to ever come through a school that has had some of the best in college football history.

He is the complete package: hands, athleticism, strength and speed and understanding of the playbook and angles. Tylan’s a homerun waiting to happen and his mere presence on the field, and the attention if demands from a defense, is almost as effective as he is when targeted.

But…

OSU has Kasey Dunn and a number of playmakers who can, and did — at least somewhat — make up for Tylan’s production after he went out with his injury. That’s not to say that he wouldn’t be missed. It’s just that OSU isn’t completely screwed if he does take his talents to Sunday.

Here’s a look at OSU’s projected returning receiving corps. of those who have caught a pass so far this season.

If Tylan doesn’t return OSU could look to guys like Braydon Johnson, a homerun threat in his own right, or C.J. Moore, the talented freshman that showed flashes of his playmaking ability in his limited reps. Dunn has assembled a handful of other former four-star wideouts, as well, like LC Greenwood and Langston Anderson but they still have yet to prove themselves.

Also set to return is Patrick McKaufman, the transfer who carried a lot of expectations but never broke into a serious role in the offense even after returning from a knee injury. He played five games without catching a pass. McKaufman still has another year of eligibility and might still carve out his place.

Also on the roster and eligible to return are: Jonathan Shepherd, Tyrell Alexander, Gabe Simpson, Cole Goodnight and Cade Cavender. The 2020 class provides two WR commits in Matt Polk and Brennan Presley.

I’m not confident that any of those mentioned can step right in and fill Tylan’s shoes by himself, but I am confident in Kasey Dunn’s track record of attracting and developing high-end talent at that position.

But my confidence wanes the moment I glance at the Cowboys’ running back depth. Oklahoma State might be in a world of hurt if Chuba has taken his last handoff as a Cowboy, and it would have no one to blame but OSU.

Here’s a look at the running backs not named Chuba who carried the ball for Oklahoma State this season.

Jeter entered the transfer portal earlier this year, but has yet to transfer. Assuming he is on his way out, that’s three warm bodies that have any experience at tailback moving forward. Only one, LD Brown, has enough to really count and I’m not sure he’s a guy you can hand it to 25 times a game and feel real confident. If nothing else, there would be essentially no experienced depth behind him.

Touted junior college transfer Dezmon Jackson did not take a handoff but he did catch one pass for 9 yards while appearing in just two games for OSU. He could factor in.

The worst part is that the Cowboys don’t have any help on the way in the form of freshmen. OSU currently does not have a single running back commit for the 2020 cycle. That’s a big yikes.

There are a couple of upside guys like Glass, the former four-star prospect who is one of the highest-rated RBs to ever sign at Oklahoma State. He only appeared in one game and will be allowed to redshirt, but he’s completely unproven. Jackson appeared like a candidate to break into the rotation this year but also only played in one game. OSU could also add someone by way of transfer but you’re still essentially starting over and you’re not pulling a Chuba out of the transfer portal.

So if you’re Mike Gundy, you’re staring at the potential of replacing what has been your best and most important player over the last 12 games with a big fat question mark. That’s enough to cause anyone sleepless nights. But that bare cupboard is no one’s fault but Gundy and his staff’s.

Maybe Deondrick Glass hits the ground running and was just one year off on his Heisman prediction for himself. If that happens, feel free to #OldTakesExposed me. But it’s much more likely that whoever would be taking snaps in place of Chuba would have to grow into his role.

If that is the case, if OSU struggles at the position next year — or God forbid, struggles through a consecutive rebuild season — critics will, once again, point to Gundy and OSU’s efforts (or lack thereof) in recruiting. In this case, they might be right.