Countdown to Kickoff: 2 Oklahoma State candidates for 2019 Piesman Trophy

Oklahoma State will kick off its 15th season under head coach Mike Gundy this fall. Cowboys Ride For Free will have a 15-day countdown with one article each day until the Cowboys’ season opener Aug. 30 at Oregon State.

Every July is watch list season for college football awards, but there’s one season-ending award that doesn’t have one — The Piesman Trophy.

The illustrious award started in 2015 by SB Nation as a way to celebrate linemen who do un-linemen-like things. Generally, that’s the most impressive play as a runner, receiver or passer. Unlike most season-ending awards, the Piesman isn’t only for FBS schools as it’s a trophy for the people and players from all divisions can win it.

Oklahoma State’s Vincent Taylor was a finalist for the award in 2016 for blocking and scooping a point-after attempt against Texas then pitching the ball to Tre Flowers for two points. Taylor was upstaged by Pittsburgh offensive lineman Brian O’Neill’s 24-yard touchdown run.

But the past is the past, and now it’s time to look ahead at two candidates — one on each side of the ball — who could win the prestigious Piesman.

Teven Jenkins (Right tackle)

We’re going to eliminate players who weigh under 250 pounds because let’s be real, big beefy boys win this award and that’s more fun.

Jenkins is an absolute unit at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds. The redshirt junior started all 13 games last season and will be an anchor on the offensive line. He’s tall, has good hands and is smart. Those three attributes, plus his prior experience draining buckets on the hardwood in high school in Topeka, Kansas, make him a prime candidate to slip out for a touchdown pass with first-year offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson’s creative system.

The touchdown pass call can be named “Jinkies!”

Tyler Lacy

Tyler Lacy, who is listed as a starter at defensive end, and Amadou Fofana both redshirted last season and have stats that show they could be candidates for the award. Fofana had four sacks, a pass break up and three fumble recoveries in 2017 at Highland (Kansas) CC. Lacy, meanwhile, had eight quarterback hurries, six sacks, two pass break ups and forced fumbles and a safety at Sachse (Texas) High.

We’ll give the edge to Lacy (6-4, 265) here since he’s the starter, but Fofana (6-4, 280) does have 15 pounds on him so seeing Fofana take one to the end zone could be more entertaining. I’d be remise if I didn’t mention redshirt freshman defensive tackle Samuel Tuihalamaka (6-2, 295), who had three QB hurries, a pass break up, two fumble recoveries, a fumble return for a touchdown (it was like 15 yards) during his senior season at Mater Dei in California. He also gets bonus points for being a wrestler.

Piesman Trophy winners

2015 — Ashton Henderson, DL (FCS Southeastern Louisiana)

2016 — Brian O’Neill, OL (Pittsburgh)

2017 — Brock Riggs, OL (D3 Heidelberg)

2018 — Kyle Phillips, DE (Tennessee)