Why Phillips, Keyes and Brown are Key Players to Oklahoma State’s Success in 2018

Times are changing in Oklahoma State football.

No longer can fans rely on Mason Rudolph to throw for nearly 400 yards a game. They can’t mark down the seemingly automatic James Washington touchdown, the Marcell Ateman game-clinching catch nor a Chad Whitener-led defensive stand.

The changes bring excitement, though, as the Cowboys will have to find a few new ways to get production. Here are five players who are key to OSU’s success in 2018.

Justice Hill

We’ll get the obvious one out of the way first.

Justice Hill is the team’s superstar, and it isn’t too often a team performs incredibly well without its superstar leading the way. Hill steps into a new light this season as likely being the top name on opposing defenses’ scouting reports, but with other running backs at OSU’s disposal, plus another talented group of receivers, Hill will find his fair share of openings.

Justin Phillips

I’m not going to act like I’m an expert on Jim Knowles’ 4-2-5 defense, but I’ve read a few things, and I’ve watched a few videos. Expert or not, the fact of having only two true linebackers on the field means they’re probably pretty important.

Phillips, a redshirt senior, has moved from the weak side linebacker to the strong side linebacker, a role that is historically looked at as somewhat of a quarterback of the defense. Phillips and the defensive line in front of him bring a lot of experience into 2018. Phillips started all 13 of OSU’s games in 2017 where he had 64 tackles and two interception returns for touchdowns.

“I’m in the Mike position; I was in the Will last year, so I’m kind of running the show on defense,” Phillips said at Big 12 Media Day. “I’m looking to get guys in the right position to make plays.”

Matt Ammendola

The thought of an increased emphasis on the running game means a few things.

One being games should be less high scoring than in years previous because the clock will keep moving. This means the Cowboys will need all the points they can get. Ammendola ended the year on a hot streak with 11 straight makes and is on the Lou Groza watch list.

Marcus Keyes

Since redshirting in 2015, Marcus Keyes has started all 26 games the past two seasons.

Keyes was a first team All-Big 12 selection after last season and will be looked at as a leader for the offensive line from his post at left guard. Left guard might not be the only place we see Keyes this year, though, as he said Thursday that he has worked in some reps as the second string center, a position he’s never played before.

With a new quarterback coming in, it’s important that everything around him goes as smoothly as possible. The Cowboys have four running backs who could see regular play time, and I can’t remember the last time the OSU receiving corps. has even been average. So, it’ll be vital that Keyes and the rest of the offensive line give the new quarterback the time he needs to grow into the position.

Dru Brown (but maybe not how you think)

At this point, it seems as if the quarterback job is Taylor Cornelius’ to lose.

However, this doesn’t mean Dru Brown and freshman Spencer Sanders need to coast to the spring for Round 2 of their battle. It’s important Brown continues to push Cornelius (and Sanders) to be better. Brown also will be able to talk Cornelius through some things from the sideline with Brown’s in-game experience.

If you’ve been an OSU fan for more than a season, you’ll know that quarterback injuries do happen. Brown sacrificed some things coming to OSU, and I’d imagine a thing he would like in return is playing time. It’s important that attitudes stay positive and work ethics stay high in the quarterback room because you never know what could happen.

“I like that he’s competitive,” Gundy said. “He’s essentially a gym rat shortstop. He’s learned the offense on his own. He came and watched and took notes and put it all together. He’s worked hard to get where he’s at. I like that. It means it’s important to him.”