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Wondering if any freshmen will see the field this year for the Cowboys? Well, Mark Cooper of the Tulsa World has an answer for you.
Asked Mike Gundy which #OKState freshmen are candidates to play this year. Here are four: https://t.co/kR9ozGTnth pic.twitter.com/HaWpZ81XGy
— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) August 14, 2016
Coach Mike Gundy told Cooper that he expects Justice Hill, Dillon Stoner, Calvin Bundage and Obi Obialo to get into the action this year. Stoner has been making some impressions on coaches and teammates throughout the summer. So, it was not a surprise to see the receiver’s name on the list.
There’s also been a lot of positive talk about running back Justice Hill and his performance in practice. However, with Rennie Childs, Chris Carson, Barry J and Jeff Carr all in the mix at the running back spot, I wouldn’t expect to see too much of Hill. At least not at the beginning of the season.
Calvin Bundage will need to stand out among a fairly seasoned and talented group of linebackers if he wants to see consistent playing time, but it’s great to hear that Bundage is making his presence known in practice. The Edmond Sante Fe product has been getting reps in practice as the “Star” linebacker.
And lastly, and definitely the most interesting, is Obi Obialo. Obialo is a walk-on wide receiver from Coppell, Texas. Due to the recent injury to Marcell Ateman and with how he has been performing in practice, it seems that he may see the field for the Cowboys this year. He has apparently been getting significant reps in practice with both the ones and twos. If Obialo turns out to be a key cog in the offense, he will be just the latest in a long line of discarded gems discovered by Mike Gundy and staff.
Obialo is a 6’3, 200 pound wide receiver that was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school. He originally committed to San Diego State, but after he sat out most of his senior season with injuries, he decided to walk-on at Oklahoma State. From his high school highlight video (see below), he seems to be pretty shifty for a bigger receiver, and at about the three-minute mark in the video he makes a great block. You like to see that from a young receiver.
It’s always exciting to hear about freshmen making an impression, and it’s even more exciting to hear Gundy say that he could see these four getting some playing time.
Also, there’s been no word from Cooper on how Gundy’s mullet looked after practice on Sunday, but let’s just assume it looked beautiful.