Oklahoma State Preview 2006 - Offense

Oklahoma State Cowboys Preview 2006 - OSU Offense

What you need to know ... The OSU spread offense has some great prospects and some nice pieces to the puzzle, but the attack won't go anywhere unless there's better play from the quarterbacks. Bobby Reid had a nice spring and finally looks like the star he was supposed to be coming out of high school. Mike Hamilton is one of the Big 12's better backs and D'Juan Woods is a star receiver, but they need help. Julius Crosslin and Dantrell Savage have to take away more carries, while North Carolina transfer Adarius Bowman has to be the receiver the coaching staff thinks he is. All-star Corey Hilliard leads a promising line that could be good if the guards become settled right away.

Returning Leaders
Passing: Al Pena
89-179, 1,102 yds, 8 TD, 13 INT
Rushing: Mike Hamilton
193 carries, 961 yds, 1 TD
Receiving: D'Juan Woods
56 carries, 879 yds, 8 TD

Star of the offense: Senior WR Dominique Ziegler
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior OT Travis Farst
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore OT Jason Smith
Best pro prospect: Senior OG Will Blaylock
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Ziegler, 2) Blaylock, 3) Smith
Strength of the offense: Wide receivers
Weakness of the offense: Running game

Quarterbacks
The offense has taken its lumps over the last few seasons waiting for Bobby Reid to be ready to lead the attack. Now he needs to live up to his immense hype and improve the Big 12's worst passing game while showing off more of his running talents. Zac Robinson is an unpolished gem who should eventually grow into a strong number two man. Passer Al Pena is an experienced reserve who could see time in a pinch.
The key to the unit: Bobby Reid has to stay healthy. OSU isn't going to win the Big 12 this season, so it'll be an important year for Reid to progress into the superstar he's supposed to become.
Quarterback Rating: 6

Projected Starter
- Bobby Reid, Soph. - 52-108, 48%, 602 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT, 61 carries, 139 yds, 2.3 ypc
The superstar recruit of a few years ago was supposed to start as a true freshman before missing the year with a shoulder injury. When he finally got on the field last season, he was awful showing almost none of his rushing skills after an 82-yard opening day against Montana State and little passing accuracy. As 6-3 and 225 pounds with a live arm and great quickness, he has too many talents to not let grow into the offense. Things appears to have clicked for him a bit this spring, but he'll have to show he can stay healthy.

Top Backups
- Zac Robinson, RFr.
The 6-3, 195-pound Robinson is a tremendous athlete with the running talents to match a nice passing touch. With far more upside than Al Pena, he'll be the number two quarterback going into the season and should see time with the way Bobby Reid has struggled to avoid injuries.
- Al Pena, Jr. - 89-179, 1,102 yds, 49.7%, 8 TD, 13 INT, 2 rushing touchdowns
While he might not be all that talented and he's not going to run for any appreciable yards if he gets a shot, he is the most accomplished of the quarterback options (with Donovan Woods playing defensive back) throwing for 356 yards in the loss to Baylor and started in three other games. He's not a fit for the spread offense, but could be called on if things fall apart again.

Running Backs
Mike Hamilton is a sure thing for 1,000 yards this year if the offense can find a passing game to keep defenses from loading up against the run. He does the work to get in range, and Julius Crosslin finishes the job as one of the Big 12's best short yardage scoring backs. JUCO transfer Dantrell Savage will provide even more firepower.
The key to the unit: Savage needs to be good enough to get the carries to keep Hamilton fresh. Hamilton has to bust off more plays as a receiver.
Running Back Rating: 8

Projected Starters
- Mike Hamilton, Soph. - 193 carries, 961 yds, 5 ypc, 1 TD, 20 catches, 161 yds, 8.1 ypc
Hamilton is the next great Oklahoma State back showing off excellent speed and good moves along with surprising power earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. Not just a solid runner, he also finished as the team's second leading receiver as a steady safety valve. He cranked out his best game against Texas rushing for 194 yards and followed it up with a 161-yard performance against Texas Tech highlighted by an 83-yard dash, but he was a marked man the rest of the time with little passing game to take the heat off.

Top Backups
- Julius Crosslin, Jr. - 71 carries, 231 yds, 3.3 ypc, 12 TD, 2 catches, 16 yds
While the OSU offense doesn't use a true fullback, Crosslin is as close as it gets. He was a star linebacker in high school who brings that physical side to the offense. Used more as a powerful short yardage back, the 240-pound junior ran for a score in every game but three and tore off 91 yards against Texas Tech.
- Dantrell Savage, Jr.
Fast, fast, fast. The JUCO transfer cranked out a 4.3 40 using that speed to earn All-America honors. He should be a dangerous back right off the bat used as a receiver as well as a runner in the rotation.

Receivers
The receivers are big, fast, and talented; can someone consistently get them the ball? D'Juan Woods is one of the Big 12's best receivers and should shine as projected starting quarterback Bobby Reid becomes more polished. Big North Carolina transfer Adarius Bowman has the potential to blossom into a dangerous weapon. Ricky Price, Tommy Devereaux, Anthony Parks and Jeremy Broadway can all move. Big tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Paschal Smith will be better than they'll likely get credit for.
The key to the unit: A more reliable number two receiver has to emerge to help out Woods. Ricky Price was the second best wide receiver last year catching 16 passes; Woods caught 56.
Receiver Rating: 7

Projected Starters
- D'Juan Woods, Sr. - 56 catches, 879 yds, 15.7 ypc, 8 TD
What would Woods have been able to do over the last three years if OSU had a quarterback who could throw? The 6-1, 210-pound deep threat has great hands and has made the most of the offense he has been put in averaging 17.2 yards per catch over the last three years with 122 grabs for 2,104 yards and 15 touchdowns. While he has no hope of catching his brother Rashaun on the OSU all-time receiving list, he's 1,067 yards away from taking over the number two spot.

- Adarius Bowman, Jr.
The former North Carolina transfer has 6-4, 220-pound size, hands, and deep speed to take some of the heat off of D'Juan Woods. One of the nation's top receiver recruits in 2003, he caught ten passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns for the Tar Heels as a true freshman. He has the potential to be one of the Big 12's newest stars.

- Ricky Price, Soph. - 16 catches, 238 yds, 14.9 ypc, 3 carries, 17 yds
Price saw work as a true freshman starting in eight games and becoming the team's number two wide receiver. He didn't take too much of the attention away from D'Juan Woods, but he had some good moments highlighted by a three-catch, 63-yard day against Missouri.

- Tight End Brandon Pettigrew, Soph. - 11 catches, 128 yds, 11.6 ypc, 1 TD
The 6-5, 255-pound sophomore just scratched the surface last season as receiver. His effectiveness in the running game was never an issue, but he needed to work on being a consistent target and a more polished route runner.

Top Backups
- Tommy Devereaux, Jr. - 13 catches, 129 yds, 9.9 ypc, 8 carries, 39 yds, 4.9 ypc
With warp sub-4.4 speed, the junior will see more action this year at receiver to go along with his duties as a kick and punt returner. The coaching staff wants to do whatever's possible to get the ball in his hands and be turned loose. He'll see a few carries and catch a few quick passes on the run.
- Jeremy Broadway, Soph. - 2 catches, 26 yds
A big-time recruit for the program last year, the 6-0, 195-pound sophomore saw a little bit of work as a true freshman catching a pass against Texas A&M and Iowa State. He'll start out behind D'Juan Woods, but will quickly find time somewhere in the starting mix.
- Tight end Paschal Smith, Jr. - 4 catches, 44 yds, 11 yards per catch
While not the prospect Brandon Pettigrew is, the 270-pound junior is a big veteran who adds more bulk to the running game. He has a little bit of starting experience and can be used a bit as a receiver.

Offensive Linemen
It's Corey Hilliard and a bunch of decent young talents who need to mold into a consistent unit right off the bat. The tackles will be fine with Hilliard and converted guard David Koenig, but they need to be stronger in pass protection. The concern is at guard where there will be battles for starting time all season long. Center David Washington is an unsung veteran in the middle who should grow into a rock.
The key to the unit: Figure out the right combination and stick with it. It took all spring to come up with a possible starting right guard. This group could be good if given time to work together in well-defined roles.
Offensive Line Rating: 6.5

Projected Starters
- OT David Koenig, Jr.
Mostly a guard so far in his career starting every game on the left side last year, the 6-4, 290-pound junior will move over to tackle. He can play on the left or right side and still be among the team's best linemen. He's decent in the passing game and growing into an all-star caliber run blocker.
- OG Andrew Lawrence, RFr.
Lawrence is a big blocker with big-time upside. He's tremendously strong, but he's not the best athlete around. taking over for David Koenig at right guard where he'll be expected to be a top run blocker.
- C David Washington, Soph.
Washington is a strong, agile, 295-pound anchor of the line. Big things are expected after starting every game in the middle as a redshirt freshman. While he's still not polished, he has the potential to be reliable as he gets a little more time.
- OG Steve Denning, Soph.
The JUCO transfer spent last year bulking up from an athletic 245-pound lineman to a strong 285-pound prospect. Strength won't be a problem, but he'll have to show early on that he can move well at the new weight. In time he should be a key lead blocker playing next to Corey Hilliard.
- OT Corey Hilliard, Sr.
A first day NFL prospect at either guard or tackle, the 6-5, 310-pound senior ended up moving to the outside and started every game earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. He's by far the line's best player with improving pass rushing technique to go along with hi s devastating run blocking skills.

Top Backups
- G Jacob Secrest, Fr.
One of the team's star recruits this year will see immediate playing time at one of the guard positions. He has the body at 6-5 and 295 pounds, and he has the strength of a veteran. He was able to graduate early from high school and saw action this spring with some starting time at right guard.
- G Noah Franklin, RFr.
The 6-4, 305-pound redshirt freshman was tried out at both guard positions this spring playing mostly on the right side. He doesn't appear ready to take over for Steve Denning, but he has the talent be a key factor in the rotation.