Back in 2006, a little known true freshman by the name of Perrish Cox opened the Cowboy Football season with a kickoff return that went 96 yards for a touchdown. Call it the beginning of an era for Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State.
More after the jump...
Cox's 595 return yards that year remains the third best season total in OSU history but what's more impressive is that he did it as a true freshman. You know, someone that was playing high school football just a few months before.
Last season, there were several freshman standouts for the Pokes.
Justin Gilbert came on to the scene early with his unbelievable speed and outstanding special teams play. Few will forget his 89 yard kickoff return against Oklahoma for a score. It earned him player of the week status and also put him in an elite group of only 9 players with multiple returns for a score.
Justin Gilbert Kickoff Return - #10 Oklahoma State vs. #14 Oklahoma (via OSUathletics)
Last but not least, we were introduced to Joseph Randle last season. I still catch myself forgetting that he was a true freshman. It certainly didn't seem like it. Randle finished the regular season second on the team in rushing, fourth in receiving, second in kick returns and seventh in scoring. He made big plays all year but none of them seem bigger than the 38 yard touchdown reception against Texas A&M that put the Cowboys on the board.
Joseph Randle Touchdown Catch Against Texas A&M 2010 (via SuperKerley85)
We've heard big things in the off season about guys like Josh Stewart, Herschel Sims and James Castleman. If the past is any indication of the future - we can expect big things.