Fansided

Oklahoma State Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By John Buhler

Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy reacts before the 2016 Alamo Bowl against the Colorado Buffaloes at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy reacts before the 2016 Alamo Bowl against the Colorado Buffaloes at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) looks the pass the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the third quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) looks the pass the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the third quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Who is going to keep Mason Rudolph upright?

It’s not debatable who Oklahoma State’s best player in 2017 will be. That would be senior quarterback Mason Rudolph. He’s not getting the praise of a Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen or even a Josh Allen looking ahead to the 2018 NFL Draft out of the quarterback position.

However, Rudolph has the build and the arm strength to be a first-round pick in next spring’s draft. There is this intrinsic quality about him that leads one to believe that he could be something special in the NFL in a few years. For now, he’s got some work to do in the Big 12.

While Oklahoma State looks solid out on the perimeter, winning in the trenches may be an uphill battle for the Cowboys all season long. It is beyond important to give Rudolph a clean pocket to throw from. Will he get the protection he deserves from his blind side?

Well, left tackle Victor Salako has graduated. Oklahoma State has to replace another tackle in Michael Wilson. Rudolph is talented enough to bail out a leaky Cowboys offensive line at times, but a faulty offensive line could ruin the Pokes’ promising 2017 season before it really begins.

Home/College Football