Oklahoma State University Athletics
Juco All-Americans Barnett, Jackson Sign With Cowboys
December 21, 2011 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 21, 2011
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy announced today that a pair of junior college All-Americans, defensive tackle Calvin Barnett and tight end Blake Jackson, have signed national letters of intent to play for the Cowboys. Both will enroll at semester break and will participate in OSU's spring practice.
"We're excited to have Calvin and Blake join our program," Gundy said. "We have been after Calvin for years now and he brings some run-stopping and pass-rushing ability to our defensive line. We're excited about Blake's ability to present a mismatch for opposing defenses."
A look at each player:
Calvin Barnett
Defensive Tackle
6-3 :: 283 :: Junior
Tulsa, Okla./Booker T. Washington/Navarro CC
Projects as a defensive tackle at Oklahoma State ... A 2011 second-team NJCAA All-American who was one of the top defensive line recruits in the nation during his high school days ... Comes from one of the best junior college programs in the nation.
Prior to OSU: Initially signed to play at Arkansas but landed at Navarro CC in Corsicana, Texas, where he was coached by Nick Bobeck ... Logged 35 tackles (20 solo) from the interior of the defensive line in 2011 ... Posted two sacks, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered as a sophomore ... Recorded 16 tackles (four solo), two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery as a freshman playing for Navarro's NJCAA-champion squad in 2010.
High School: Attended Booker T. Washington HS in Tulsa and was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Game ... A first-team 5A All-State honoree in 2009. Logged 33 tackles and four sacks as a senior ... Ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the state of Oklahoma by Rivals.com and the No. 13 defensive tackle in the nation ... Recorded 72 tackles as a junior in leading his team to the 5A state championship, which was the first title for Booker T. Washington High School in 24 years ... Had scholarship offers from Arkansas, USC, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, UCLA, Oregon State and Texas Tech.
Blake Jackson
Tight End
6-4 :: 221 :: Junior
Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert/Scottsdale CC
A 2011 first-team NJCAA All-American ... An athletic pass-catching tight end with long arms, strong hands and a knack for finding open space.
Prior to OSU: Attended Scottsdale CC in Scottsdale, Ariz. ... Led his team with 62 catches, 934 yards and 16 touchdowns en route to securing first-team All-America honors as a sophomore in 2011 ... His 62 catches ranked sixth nationally, his 934 yards were seventh in the nation and his 16 touchdowns were the third-most in the NJCAA ranks ... Caught 33 passes for 540 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman in 2010 ... Had an extensive offer list that included the likes of Oklahoma, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas Tech and numerous others.
High School: Attended Gilbert HS in Gilbert, Ariz. ... Played wide receiver in an offense that was dominated by the run and didn't have significant stats ... Did not register as a national recruit by any of the major recruiting outlets.
