Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Secure Another Preseason Top 10 Ranking
May 03, 2009 | Cowboy Football
May 1, 2009
STILLWATER, Okla. - Yet another member of the national media has ranked the Oklahoma State football team among the nation's elite heading into the 2009 season, as SI.com's Andy Staples ranked the Cowboys sixth in his post-spring top-25. He joined SI.com colleague Stewart Mandel in ranking the Pokes sixth in the nation.
Most national pundits who have weighed in with a preseason top-25 have included Oklahoma State in the top 10. CBSSportsline's Dennis Dodd ranked OSU ninth and ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach has the Cowboys No. 10 on his preseason list. Rivals.com ranked Oklahoma State 10th as well.
The Cowboys boast perhaps the nation's best returning group of offensive skill players, led by receiver Dez Bryant, running back Kendall Hunter and quarterback Zac Robinson. Additionally, offensive tackle Russell Okung has appeared on numerous preseason All-America lists and ESPN.com Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin recently ranked him as the top offensive lineman in the conference going into 2009. Griffin also listed Bryant as the league's top wideout and Hunter as the top running back in the conference.
The addition of new defensive coordinator Bill Young has many national observers optimistic about the Cowboy defense as well. OSU will boast a veteran linebacker corps led by Andre Sexton, Patrick Lavine and Orie Lemon and a young-but-talented defensive backfield with senior cornerback Perrish Cox joined by underclassmen Johnny Thomas, Victor Johnson and Markelle Martin, among several other capable players in the secondary.
