/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50432029/461633588.0.jpg)
Thanks for reading and as always leave us your answers in the comment section below.
Which first-year player has the most impact this fall?
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6929039/usa-today-8175268.0.0.jpg)
Christopher
I can't read anything OSU-related and not see the name Dillon Stoner, so I'm going with him. If he lives up to half the hype, I'll be excited.
Jake
Everything I've seen says Dillon Stoner is going to contribute immediately.
Joel
I have heard nothing but good things about Dillon Stoner. I feel like he can come in and make a legitimate impact right away. He will fill the spot that David Gildden left with no drop off in the offense.
Cade
Because you said "first-year" I'm going to go with Barry J. Sanders. Yes, i'm going to fall victim to the hype, but he's going to have a massive role in the offense, probably splitting reps with Chris Carson and Rennie Childs. I'll expect Sanders to see the field more than Stoner, and because of this, he'll have a bigger impact.
Gallagher
I'm going to say Barry J. even though I think this will be Chris Carson's breakout year. Either way, I'm pumped to see him Sep. 3.
Robert
My answer hasn't changed from the last time we talked about this...Barry J, but Dillon Stoner should also be on the radar.
Dustin
The player I'm most excited about is Barry Sanders. When I see that name, my eyes light up, and I don't care if there's a "J" in the middle of it. But, for first-year players that will have the most impact, I'm going to go on the defensive side of the ball with Calvin Bundage. He's competing for a spot in a seasoned group of talented linebackers, and it's amazing to me that Gundy said he could get playing time. Bundage is a converted safety, so he should be versatile at the Star linebacker position. I feel like he could be a big impact guy over the course of the season.
Phillip
I'm going to go in a different direction and go with Larry Williams. The RS Junior o-lineman JC transfer had some hype coming in after earning All-American honors last season. I'm hoping he can help elevate what has been a bad offensive line. It's the most glaring weakness on the team and if he can step in and improve it then I am pumped!
Austin
Larry Williams. I have a hunch that he will find himself in a starting role on the OSU offensive line by the time SE Louisiana comes to Stillwater. Williams is a BIG dude, and I think he could make a big difference on that offensive line. If Williams finds himself behind Robinson, Wilson, etc., Barry would be my second choice.
Kyle
I’m going to with Barry J. Sanders or whoever returns the first punt for a touchdown. I’m assuming that will be a first-year player. If Barry J. does it in the first game you may need to call someone over to my house.
Proudest OSU football moment over the last five years: on or off the field.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6956627/136348711.jpg)
Christopher
April 24, 2015, the end of the SI drama. The findings of the investigation had been released months earlier, but this was the day the NCAA closed the (fictional) book. This is my proudest moment because all of the on-the-field accomplishments would mean nothing if this whole thing had gone differently. This was the moment that validated every other proud moment. And also this:
Annnnnnd it's officially National Thayer Evans Wasted A Year Of His Life Day. #okstate
— ChristopherSnodgress (@csnodgress) April 24, 2015
Jake
Winning the Big 12 in 2011.
Joel
The victory against OU in Bedlam 2014. For a team that struggled for the majority of conference play to come in to one of the most hostile environments and pull out a victory said a lot about the character of Mike Gundy's team, that they would never back down and never quit. That game alone has set up a good future for OSU football, and last season showed that.
Cade
What a great question. The first one that comes to mind is Bedlam in 2014. I've never felt an adrenaline rush like that for an OSU football game and to see the way they came back from down 14 on the road was incredible. Another one that comes to mind is more of a generalization, but the relationship that the football team has with children with cancer and other ailments makes me proud to be an OSU fan. Remember the little girl that Justin Blackmon befriended, and then Mason Rudolph holding a child during the Alma Mater? It's things like that that really show the true character of the young men that play on your favorite football team.
Gallagher
That's a really good question. I'll go with Dec. 3, 2011 when we beat Oklahoma to win the Big 12 title. Not the only proud memory by any means, however.
Robert
2011 Bedlam in BPS with my brother, and it's not even close. That was like 1,000 years of frustration and oppression were collectively released when Blatnick scooped up that fumble and rambled down the sideline.
Dustin
I want to say Bedlam 2011, but every time I think about that game, I think about the loss to Iowa State... I still think Quinn Sharp made that kick. So, I'm going to go with Bedlam 2014. The way that game ended was incredible.
Phillip
How the fans, team, coaches and school handled the homecoming parade tragedy last season. OSU has had have a lot of experience dealing with tragedy (too much) and they couldn't have handled it any better.
Austin
My sophomore year, December 3, 2011. Bedlam was BEDLAM! I've never experienced a moment like that in my life.
Kyle
Proudest on the field would have to be the Fiesta Bowl game with Bedlam ‘14, then Bedlam “11. Off the field, I’m going with Christopher. When that report came out, it was shocking and a little crushing, personally. To not only come out pretty clean but witnessing the manner in which Gundy and others handled it, I was proud.
After three years how have your thoughts on Mike Yurcich changed? This is open ended.
Christopher
I don't hate Yurcich. Stop throwing things. I think he's been limited by different factors throughout his time here (poor OL play for one), but I think he's shown growth and honestly I'm good with where he's at as an offensive coordinator. Ask me again at the end of the season, though, because I reserve the right to turn on him like Ramsay Bolton's dogs.
Jake
Originally I was upset with the Yurcich simply because he didn't have much experience, but after 3 years I think he has proven he belongs at the D1 level.
Joel
Hopefully with a more experienced offensive line the offense can be more balanced. It was difficult to make play calls last year with the offensive line struggling so much. I will be able to make a better call after a few games have been played to see how the play calling has evolved from last season.
Cade
I'm giving Yurcich the benefit of the doubt this year because he's earned it. I think the educated football fan will tell you that he has improved dramatically during his time at OSU, but this season will be the biggest one yet for him. He's got his guys, and he's got an All-American caliber quarterback at his disposal. If OSU isn't in the Top 20 in offense this season, then I think you could just assume he's not a great football coach. For the time being, though, he deserves more credit than he's received.
Gallagher
It certainly has gotten better. I remember the Cotton Bowl against Missouri and how bad of a first half he called. If I remember correctly, Gundy called the plays in the second half. As long as he isn't too conservative with Rudolph I think he'll do just fine.
Robert
If the offensive line manages to block a little, then his offense should flourish well beyond what we've seen so far, but I'd say he has impressed me with his QB coaching and scheming a one dimensional offense to success.
Dustin
When Yurcich was first hired, I was surprised. When I saw a video of him explaining football with Legos, I was confused. And after his first season, I was frustrated. However, since then my opinion of him has changed. He really impressed me last year in the way he was able to still make the offense productive with basically no run game.
Phillip
I've gone from "Exciting anticipation!".... To "Get Ride of the Bum!"... To "He's actually pretty good." There were some moments last year it seemed like he was finally comfortable and had a QB who could handle what they were throwing at him.
Austin
Changed? I don't know. I don't think we were able to see exactly what Yurcich could bring to the table during his first two seasons as OC. I honestly don't think I had an opinion on the guy during his first two seasons. However, I think Yurcich proved his value last season. The offensive production we received from Mason & Co. was incredible considering the fact that every single defense knew that we could not run the ball. Teams were putting five in the box against us, shutting down our running attack, and we were still scoring through the air. That's impressive.
Kyle
The fact that he was able to produce the No. 14 scoring offense in the nation while having the No. 114 rushing offense, should win him a medal. Should he shoulder some blame for such a poor rushing attack? Sure. But let’s stop comparing his first couple of seasons to Holgorsen’s and Monken’s. They both moved into the OC office with Weeden-2-Blackmon in tact.