Oklahoma State Football: 3 Second-Year Players Poised for Stardom in 2023
Oklahoma State football took a significant step back a year after making the Big 12 championship game and falling just short of defeating Baylor to win the championship by a yard (literally).
The Cowboys narrowly made it into a bowl game and finished just 7-6. That was mostly due to the quarterback's lackluster performance as well as a significant decline in defense from one of the best in the Big 12 to one of the worst.
A few players have been waiting for their chance to put the Cowboys back on track, and Oklahoma State did sign the No. 36 class in 2022.
These three athletes from the 2022 class could break out in 2023.
#3. Talyn Shettron, Wide Receiver
Former four-star receiver Talyn Shettron was Oklahoma State's top commit in addition to having one of the finest names of any recruit in the 2022 class.
The 19th-best receiver and No. 126 recruit in the 2022 class only caught three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown in four games last season, which allowed him to keep his redshirt. This is fantastic news since it appears as though he will soon become a star for the Cowboys. He will need to be, particularly in light of all the talent Oklahoma State lost after the 2017 season. The top five receivers for the team are down to just two. After placing second on the team in receiving, Braydon Johnson announced his intention to enter the NFL draft.
Thus it appears like Shettron should make a move and shine. He certainly has potential, and at worst, I could see him serving as the team's second wide receiver.
#2. Ollie Gordon, Running Back
Oklahoma State's run game hasn't been particularly strong in a few years, and you can bet that supporters are expecting and praying for it to be again. Ollie Gordon might replace Chuba Hubbard as the squad's next workhorse back, even if Hubbard feels like he joined the team a decade ago.
Jaden Nixon, a redshirt sophomore, is expected to be the starting running back on some early depth charts for the upcoming season, but Gordon simply adds more. Nixon was worse as a true rookie than Ollie Gordon was. Nixon finished with 181 yards and no touchdowns on just 3.6 yards per carry, while he finished with 308 yards and two touchdowns on 5.0 yards per carry.
The second-best recruit in Oklahoma State's class of 2022, Gordon lived up to the expectations early on and, in my opinion, has a chance to become the next Hubbard-like star running back.
#1. Garret Rangel, Quarterback
Undoubtedly, the most crucial position on the field must be addressed, as it was a weakness for Oklahoma State's previous season. In 2023, Garret Rangel might be the Cowboys' only hope.
Spencer Sanders, who played just 10 games in 2022 after suffering numerous injuries throughout his time at Oklahoma State and passing for over 2,600 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, wasn't good enough. Rangel was given a chance after Sanders became injured, and although his completion percentage was only slightly better (51 percent), the rookie had some promise.
Only 115 passes were attempted by the former four-star quarterback, and he completed 59 of them for 711 yards and four touchdowns. Although he was a true freshman, he did have five selections, so it will need to be cleared up.
He will only improve as he spends the offseason preparing to be the Oklahoma State offensive's starting quarterback and another year knowing the scheme.
