Saying Goodbye To The Seniors: Offense

When Oklahoma State took the field last night against Colorado, it was the final appearance for many Cowboys. Nineteen seniors took the field one last time.

In this post, we’re going to look at the seniors on offense who have now hung up their spurs.

Rennie Childs | Sr. | RB

Career: Childs finished a four-year playing career on Thursday. Despite never becoming a starter, Childs stuck with the program for his whole career. Though he arrived during one of the weakest periods for offensive lines and running backs of Gundy’s tenure, Childs was a reliable back-up who gave fans many bright moments on the field. It’s a pity his career ends as the offensive line is finally improving.

Best Game: Against Pittsburgh this year, Childs got 101 yards and four touchdowns on 10 carries. That included a 67 yard touchdown run in the second quarter, which was the longest of his career. It really was a career day for Childs.

Biggest Play: The 67 yard run I just mentioned.

Barry J. Sanders | R-Sr. | RB

Career: Barry J. arrived for one year with a lot of fanfare and excitement. It had to be hard coming to the school where you’re father remains a legend. After four years at Stanford, Barry J. wanted the opportunity to make a name for himself. Sanders spent most of the season handling punt and kick returns. While he didn’t reach the expectations some set, it was a lot of fun to see the name Sanders on an Oklahoma State football jersey again.

Best Game: The season opener against Southeastern Louisiana got everyone excited about Barry J.’s potential for the season. He had a big punt return and got a one yard touchdown run.

Biggest Play: His first big return of the season was almost turned into six-points against Southeastern Louisiana.

Chris Carson | Sr. | RB

Career: The Georgia native spent two years in Stillwater after transferring from Butler CC. Getting Carson to commit to Oklahoma State over Georgia was big for the Cowboys and got fans really excited about the back’s potential. Unfortunately Carson never quite found his footing in his first year despite leading the team in rushing. His return from injury turned into his best stretch of games while wearing orange and black.

As in Child's case, it’s a shame Carson didn’t have a better line to run behind last season, but it was great watching him finally hit his stride this year.

Best Game: We finally saw the Chris Carson we all expected against TCU this year when he bulldozed his way to 146 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries.

Biggest Play: There may have been longer plays, but nothing as exciting as Carson’s double-truck-stick run against TCU.

Blake Jarwin | R-Sr. | CW

Career: One of the original Cowboy Backs when Gundy and Co. developed the Tight End-hybrid position. A one-time walk-on, Jarwin is a great blocker but also a useful and dangerous threat as a receiver. On a team loaded with receivers, Jarwin was 5th this season in receptions and receiving yards. His 17 yards per reception average was second on the team behind only James Washington. If those aren’t the stats of a reliable receiver, I don’t know what are. Jarwin earned All-Big-12 honors in 2015 and 2016. More importantly, in those same seasons, he earned the Barry Sanders award, which is given to the player with the greatest contribution but the least recognition.

Jarwin will get another chance to impress NFL Scouts after the Alamo Bowl when he plays in the East-West Shrine Game. I believe the guy has a chance to play on Sundays (as long as he doesn’t end up in Cleveland).

Best Game: It was only two catches, but they accounted for 96 yards and one touchdown. That one touchdown was a 54 yarder. His career high in yards came on just two catches. That’s impressive.

Biggest Play: We considered the touchdown against Kansas State this year (it was a big one), but I went with the TD catch against West Virginia in 2015. It was third down, and the Mountaineers had scored their first TD of the game on the previous possession.

Zac Veatch | R-Sr. | CW

Career: The one-time offensive lineman moved to Cowboy Back before the 2015 season. Where Jarwin was a dangerous receiver, Veatch was a great, physical blocker, due to his experience as an OL. The Broken Arrow native shared the Barry Sanders award with Jarwin in 2015 and is considered one of the toughest players on the team. The guy has been an important blocker for Rudolph and the running backs for four years and his experience and leadership will be greatly missed.

Best Game: Against Baylor this year, Veatch caught three passes for 26 yards. Again, Veatch’s biggest contribution was in blocking. Picking a game where he did that best is not easy, because he was consistently one of the best for the Cowboys.

Biggest Play: Veatch caught one touchdown in his career, against Central Michigan this season. It came late in the first quarter, giving OSU a 14-0 lead. (start at :27)

Austin Hays | R-Sr. | WR

Career: Hays is a name many Oklahoma State fans know. He’s not the most talented receiver on the team, but he’s one who’s always there and always ready to ball. While he didn’t get to contribute as much this season, he stepped up when OSU needed someone during his career. He showed signs of greatness in 2012, his first year seeing the field. However, an injury kept him out of most of the 2013 season, and he never quite re-reached those first year numbers. Still, he’s played multiple receiving positions for OSU, filling in wherever coaches needed someone they could trust.

Best Game: Hays stepped up in the 2012 loss to Kansas State grabbing 8 receptions for 81 yards (both career highs) and a touchdown.

Biggest Play: This probably needs to go to Jarwin... but it’s not. OSU’s first points against Texas Tech in 2015 were from this touchdown pass from the Cowboy Back to receiver Hays in the first quarter. It was Hays first TD catch since 2012! (start at :26).

Jhajuan Seales | R-Sr. | WR

Career: For the first time since 2013, Seales caught more than 30 passes for 500+ yards this season. Since that 2013 571 yard, 3 touchdown season, Cowboy fans have been waiting on him to shine. It took him a couple season, but he finally got his chance to shine this year. His athleticism has never been in question, as Seales has remained one of the fastest players on the team since he arrived.

Best Game: Against Pittsburgh this season, Seales set career records in catches (7) and yards (129).

Biggest Play: It came when OSU needed a score against Pittsburgh. After the rain delay, OSU couldn’t get the offense going. That is until 1:45 left in the game, when Rudolph hit Seales for an 86 yard pass that went all the way to the Pitt 1-yard line. The Cowboys got the game winning touchdown on the next play. (start at 1:07).

Grant Newell | R-Sr. | WR

Career: The Junior College transfer walked-on at OSU before the 2014 season. He spent 2015 contributing on the Scout team, and has contributed on special teams during his career.

Best Game: To be honest, there are no stats for Newell as he never saw the field in any significant action. However, we should note that he was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 honoree in 2016 and a recipient of the team's Dr. L.L. Boger Award for academic and athletic achievement.

Michael Wilson | R-Sr. | OL

Career: Wilson might go down as the most versatile lineman to ever play at Oklahoma State, at least during Mike Gundy’s tenure. Wilson played at every position on the offensive line except center. He played all four during his Sophomore season in 2014 and has started every game since week five that year.

Best Game: I’ll call it the 2014 Bedlam win where Wilson started and played the entire game.

Victor Salako | R-Sr. | OL

Career: After transfering from UAB after the school shut down its football program, Salako has anchored the left tackle position, starting every game since he arrived. It took him a little time to adjust from Conference USA play to Big 12, but he has been a vital part of an improving line.

Salako was named the All-Big 12 second-team by both the coaches and the Associated Press this season. Not to knock UAB, but I would say both OSU and Salako benefited from his move to Stillwater.

Ben Grogan | Sr. | K

Career: While fans may not always have trusted his leg, it’s hard to ignore the impact of Ben Grogan. The kicker will retire as OSU’s career leading scorer and one of only two players in Big 12 history with four seasons scoring 100 or more points.

Best Game: Grogan has had games with more field goals, but none were bigger than the two he made against Texas in 2015. After hitting a 41-yarder with 1:33 left to tie the game, OSU got the ball back in Texas territory after a whiffed punt. After going backwards on two plays, Grogan kicked a 40-yard field goal to get the win.

Biggest Play: That second field goal against Texas to give the Cowboys their fourth straight victory over the Longhorns in Austin. (starts at: 2:39).

As always, we are going to miss the graduating seniors. We want to thank them for their time in the Orange and Black. Once a Cowboy, always a Cowboy.