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Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden's stock might
never be higher.
But yet he's coming back.
As a junior first-year starter he was the Cowboys first
all-conference quarterback in the modern era.
His school records this season of 34 touchdown passes and
4,277 passing yards were both good for spots in the top five
nationally. His passing efficiency rating of 154.10 led the Big
12.
But yet he's coming back.
Weeden is losing offensive coordinator and mastermind Dana Holgorsen. His offense next year will not feature one of the nation's best running backs in Kendall Hunter. With Arizona on the non-conference schedule and trips to Texas A&M and Texas in 2011, many would say the schedule is tougher next season.
But yet he's coming back.
After five years of bus rides in the minor league baseball world, Weeden is 27 years old. He's not getting any younger. His NFL window is closing. He's married.
But yet he's coming back.
Weeden wouldn't have been the No. 1 quarterback taken in the draft. His experience level as a starting quarterback would have hurt him, but the junior was being pegged as a fourth round pick in many mock drafts before he announced his intentions. With his age playing a major factor, many felt it accelerated his need to enter a year early.
But what's the difference between being 27 or 28? For Weeden it will be 13 more games as a starting college quarterback. NFL scouts won't have the lack of experience card to play on the junior.
"I've talked to more people in the last two weeks than I have in last four years," said Weeden at his press conference to announce his decision. "I got every piece of advice that I needed to have to make the right decision. I teetered back and forth for two weeks. I'll be honest. I went back and forth. I woke up one morning and said 'it's an opportunity of a lifetime to play at Oklahoma State.'"
Oklahoma State finished the regular season No. 10 in the coaches poll. Weeden thinks they could have been better. With two losses by less than a touchdown to No. 13 Oklahoma and No. 16 Nebraska, he's probably right.
With ten returning starters on offense (including future 1st round receiver Justin Blackmon) and seven on defense, the Cowboys have something good going for them. Head coach Mike Gundy, now 43, has guided the Cowboys to five straight winning seasons, five straight bowl appearances, and 29 wins in three seasons.
With Weeden coming back for his senior season, expect even bigger and better things in Stillwater.
Impact Freshman in 2011
As signing day inches ever so closer on Wednesday February 2nd, the race for recruits in Big 12 states is heating up.
Currently Texas holds the best class in the conference, also ranking No. 1 in the nation according to Scout.com. Oklahoma sits at No. 2 in the Big 12 and is currently eighth nationally. The Pac-10 and SEC are dominating this year's team recruiting rankings with 14 combined teams in the Top 25.
Two weeks ago, some of the nation's best high school players were on display in San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. It gave the media and scouts an up-close look at the next generation of college football stars in the making.
Judging by a week of practices, the Big 12's richest teams are getting richer. Texas had a total of seven players selected for the game. While we won't feature them all, don't expect too many more below .500 seasons in Austin.
Texas
RB.) Malcolm Brown – Cibolo Steele HS (TX)
The nation's No. 1 running back didn't get the opportunity to impress much in practice. To avoid injuries, both squads kept hitting to a minimum and that is where Brown excels. He might not be the fastest back in the country, but he's quick and his 6-foot-2, 220 pound frame allows him to run over people. When you watch Brown you feel like you are seeing exactly what a running back is supposed to be. He's already being compared to former UT running back Cedric Benson.
WR.) Jaxon Shipley – Brownwood HS (TX)
The casual Texas fan will think Jaxon Shipley only received an offer from Texas because of his brother Jordan's record breaking career in Austin. Think again! Jaxon is probably the more polished receiver at this stage in the game. He has hands of gold and might be the purest route runner in the country. He's very athletic and has good enough speed to get past the average corner. At 170 pounds, expect him to add some weight. He can struggle with being jammed, but expect Shipley to be starting in the slot by game one for Texas.
Oklahoma
WR.) Trey Metoyer – Whitehouse HS (TX)
The nation's No.1 receiver according to Scout.com, Metoyer shined the whole week of practices, showing he might be the most complete receiver in the country. The high school senior can run every route and has the ability to go up and get the ball. His size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) allows him to beat jams at the line and he can catch a ball in traffic. Expect Metoyer to be on the field for Oklahoma day one next season.
Oklahoma State
RB.) Herschel Sims – Abilene HS (TX)
Some doubted Sims 5-star rating throughout his senior season, but no one is questioning it now. If running back Joseph Randle has any sort of sophomore slump replacing Kendall Hunter in Stillwater, expect Sims to become a feature back in the Cowboys offense. Not only is he a home run threat every time he touches the ball, but he's hard to bring down. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Sims runs down hill. It won't be very often that he's not falling forward when being brought down.
QB.) J.W. Walsh – Denton Guyer HS (TX)
Weeden is back, but it doesn't mean the Cowboys won't use incoming freshman quarterback J.W. Walsh in certain situations. Currently rated the No. 6 quarterback in the country, Walsh can run. He thrives in option situations, but also throws a nice tight spiral. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, the 4-star quarterback seems to be the logical choice to replace Weeden after next season. Walsh elected to enroll at Oklahoma State early, getting a chance to participate in spring drills. Don't be surprised to see a few plays for the freshman next season.
Big 12 Team Recruiting Rankings (As of Jan. 18th on
Scout.com)
1.) Texas – 23 commitments
8.) Oklahoma – 18 commitments
17.) Oklahoma State – 23 commitments
21.) Texas Tech – 24 commitments
23.) Nebraska – 16 commitments (leaving the
conference)
36.) Texas A&M – 19 commitments
43.) Missouri – 16 commitments
44.) Baylor – 19 commitments
47.) Kansas- 22 commitments
67.) Kansas State – 18 commitments
70.) Iowa State – 16 commitments
83.) Colorado – 8 commitments (A new coaching staff
has things shook up in Boulder)
