Oklahoma State football season preview 2020: Record predictions, depth chart analysis, breakout players

Oklahoma State football breakout candidates

Spencer Sanders, QB

For a freshman, you have to like what you saw from Spencer Sanders in the 2019 season. He completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 2,065 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while rushing for 628 yards as well. But now that Wallace returns, now that Sanders is 100 percent healthy again and now that he’s gained experience, it’s time to make a jump.

Sanders is certainly talented enough to accomplish that, a former 4-star recruit and one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in a good 2018 class. With a full complement of weapons and a now-built rapport, we could see the Cowboys signal-caller put up some eye-popping numbers in the 2020 campaign.

Jarrick Bernard, CB

As mentioned, Bernard has been on the field for the first two seasons of his college career as a safety. He’s played in 25 games over the past two seasons and has some fine numbers with 112 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and six pass defenses.

But now Bernard is transitioning to cornerback where he will fill the role once occupied by A.J. Green. While there is a position switch involved, Bernard is primed for it with ideal length to cover on the boundary and plenty of athletic traits. Overall, this should be a year for Bernard to really put himself on the map as the spotlight should be on him more often.

Jelani Woods, TE

Woods is a freak on the field at the tight end position, measuring in at 6-foot-7, 275 pounds. That type of size immediately creates a matchup nightmare for any safety or linebacker, especially given that he moves quite well for a player his size.

While Woods has not contributed two heavily in the first two seasons with the Cowboys, he’s still played a role. Now that he has experience and with a focus being put on using the tight ends more in the passing attack, it only makes sense that Gundy would want to get this anomaly on the field and use him to the Pokes’ advantage.

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