When ranking Cowboys receivers, count to six
STILLWATER — Much has been made of Oklahoma State’s array of wide receivers, with several media publications ranking them No. 1 in the nation as a group.
And while five — James Washington, Jalen McCleskey, Marcell Ateman, Chris Lacy and Tyron Johnson — dominate the conversation, Cowboys receivers coach Kasey Dunn says the list of premium players at the position actually extends to six, including Dillon Stoner.
“He can really play,” Dunn said Thursday at Karsten Creek, following the Mike Gundy Media Golf Day. “He’s killing it. He’s had a tremendous summer.”
Stoner, a redshirt freshman from Jenks, set himself up for a significant role last year, before an injury in the fourth game ended his season.
Healthy again, Stoner is back in the mix, having reestablished himself with a strong offseason.
“Dillon’s got the right mindset,” Dunn said. “He’s so focused. It’s hard to make him smile, he’s so focused.”
Stoner totaled two catches for 27 yards before the injury, but his most memorable play came against Central Michigan, when he tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Washington as the quarterback in the Wildcat formation, sending the Cowboys ahead late in the fourth quarter, before the controversial ending.
“A fourth-down situation, in the score zone, and we gave this kid — a true freshman — an opportunity to make a play,” Dunn said. “And a read play of all things, not just catch it and run it in. The second play of his career.
“That’s how much trust we have in the kid. He’s going to play a ton.”
Next for Stoner in cementing his place among OSU’s receiver threats: a touchdown reception.
“Everybody is busting him because he’s thrown for a touchdown, but he hasn’t caught one yet,” Dunn said.
Quotable
Cowboys defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer on watching players enjoy the noticeable physical gains from bulking up in the weight room during the offseason:
“They walk around the office in tighter shirts and look in that mirror a lot. That old sinful pride, man, it’s in all of us.”
OSU vs. OSU?
The Columbus Dispatch and SI.com both suggested controversy over a potential flap between Oklahoma State and Ohio State.
Stillwater’s OSU has filed an extension with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with intent to oppose Ohio State’s expanded use of “OSU,” as first reported by the Columbus Dispatch. But one Oklahoma State insider shot down any conflict, terming it a “non-story,” presenting the school’s move as more about repositioning going forward.
Spokesmen from the two schools suggested the same.
“This isn’t a conflict of schools,” Ohio State’s Chris Davey told the Dispatch. “This is the type of item that arises from time to time in (administering) a trademark.”
Oklahoma State’s Gary Shutt: “We have had concurrent usage agreements with Ohio State, and Oregon State, in the past. Those agreements have worked well for all involved. We look forward to talking to Ohio State about joint use and making sure our universities and our fans are best served.”