Big-Time Players Thrive at Oklahoma State

Big-Time Players Thrive at Oklahoma State The Mike Gundy era at Oklahoma State has been defined by a level of consistent success never before seen in Stillwater. Evidence of that is plentiful - a Big 12 championship, 10 or more wins in three of the past four seasons, a winning record against Big 12 opponents every year since 2008 and the list goes on. There are a number of contributing factors that have led to OSU's success during Gundy's tenure, but players making plays will always be chief among them. Since 2009, Gundy has produced six NFL first-round draft picks. Only Alabama, Florida and LSU have more during that span. Interestingly, those first-round picks all came from different backgrounds and had different circumstances, but all of them share the common thread of developing under Gundy at Oklahoma State. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew was a two-star recruit with no other Division I offers who emerged into a star in Oklahoma State's offense thanks to his work ethic, his skill and his mindset of wanting to physically dominate opponents. Russell Okung was a three-star offensive line prospect who blossomed into the best offensive lineman in college football his senior year. Okung was fiercely dedicated to the team and committed to constant improvement in the weight room. He was a model citizen off the field and a leader on it. Dez Bryant was a highly-recruited prep standout who had his choice of major programs, but decided OSU was the place for him and he excelled from day one. After coming in and adjusting to play at the college level his first year, he went on to become college football's most spectacular receiver and earned consensus All-America honors as a true sophomore.
Weeden and Blackmon became one of the most prolific duos in Big 12 history.
Justin Blackmon was a standout on the hardwood who had the opportunity to play college basketball, but instead chose to pursue football. Blackmon redshirted as a freshman, developed his body in the Oklahoma State strength and conditioning program, turned the corner physically in the spring of 2010 and went on to become nearly unstoppable at wide receiver during his third and fourth years in the program, earning unanimous All-America honors both seasons. Brandon Weeden was a very highly-regarded baseball prospect coming out of Edmond Santa Fe HS who received only mild football recruiting interest because most schools figured he'd go pro on the diamond. Sure enough, he was the first pick of the New York Yankees in the 2002. He kicked around in the minors for a few years, then decided to return to school and try his hand at football. He enrolled at OSU in 2007, and after quarterbacking the scout team and serving as a backup for the Pokes in 2008 and 2009, Weeden stamped himself as the best quarterback in school history by exploding for the two finest seasons ever for a Cowboy signal-caller in 2010 and 2011.
Somewhat similar to Dez Bryant, cornerback Justin Gilbert was physically gifted and a top recruit coming out of Huntsville, Texas. He could have gone most anywhere he wanted. Gilbert had elite speed and was a big-time playmaker as a high school quarterback. Once at OSU, Gilbert made a name for himself on special teams and all the while developed and developed as a cornerback. By the time he finished his senior year, Gilbert set the Big 12 Conference record with six career kickoff return touchdowns and elevated his play on defense so much that he was honored as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award presented to the nation's best defensive back. While Gilbert did not win the Thorpe Award, it should be noted that Gundy has coached four major award winners (Matt Fodge won the Ray Guy Award presented to the nation's top punter in 2008, Dan Bailey won the Lou Groza Award presented to the nation's top kicker in 2010 and Blackmon won the Biletnikoff Award presented to the nation's top receiver in 2010 and again in 2011). In addition, 16 of Gundy's players have earned All-America honors just since 2008 and those 16 players represent nearly every position group in all three phases of the game (offense, defense and special teams.) Gundy's first wave of All-Americans came in 2008, when Bryant, kick returner Perrish Cox and running back Kendall Hunter were honored among the nation's best. Bryant and Hunter were both consensus All-Americans and all three play in the NFL to this day, with Bryant making his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2014.	Justin Gilbert set a Big 12 Conference record for kick returns at Oklahoma State.
In 2009, Cox went from earning All-America honors as a return man to earning All-America honors as a cornerback. He was also a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award. Okung secured unanimous All-America recognition and was the only offensive lineman included on the list of three finalists for the Outland Trophy presented to the nation's top interior lineman. He has since gone on to win a Super Bowl and play in the NFL Pro Bowl as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. In 2010, kicker Dan Bailey, punter Quinn Sharp, Blackmon and Hunter were all recognized as All-Americans. Bailey won the Lou Groza Award after setting an NCAA record for points scored in a single season and is now the most accurate kicker in the history of the NFL.
Former Cowboy Russell Okung was a unanimous All-America selection, first-round NFL Draft pick and now a Super Bowl Champion.
In OSU's Big 12-championship season of 2011, Blackmon and Sharp were joined on recognized All-America teams by offensive linemen Levy Adcock and Grant Garner and safety Markelle Martin. Sharp broke the NCAA scoring record set by Bailey the year prior and Blackmon was the best receiver in the nation thanks in part to the blocking of Adcock and Garner. Thanks to his punishing and physical style of play, Martin made a name for himself as one of the most feared defensive players in the Big 12. Sharp earned the third of his three career All-America honors in 2012 and Gilbert was recognized the following season. With this many players recognized as either NFL first-round draft picks or All-Americans, the picture becomes clear as to how Oklahoma State has achieved a level of consistent success under Mike Gundy. Big-time players making big-time plays.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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