OSU working to develop next line of ‘Cowboy Backs’
Justice Hill’s attention grew as soon as the topic was raised.
Oklahoma State is looking for its next Cowboy Back, the fullback/ tight end hybrid position that often ends up blocking for Hill and the other running backs.
So the search for the guy (or guys) who will replace the graduated Blake Jarwin and Zac Veatch stands to impact Hill.
“A lot,” the sophomore running back said emphatically. “Those guys are getting better every day. Behind the offensive line, they’re the second-biggest guys blocking for us. It really goes unnoticed, but they’re a big part of what we do.”
The Cowboy Back position is one of little notoriety, but if it becomes a weak link in an otherwise potent offense, opponents will notice.
It appears to be the only unsettled first-team spot in the Cowboy offense, now with the season opener two weeks away, but coaches don’t expect it to be a position of weakness.
The search is a matter of finding the right
blend of players who can be effective pass-catchers and blockers, and do either when called upon.
Britton Abbott, a redshirt junior, has shown an ability to fill both roles, and has been leading the group’s involvement with the first-team offense.
Keenen Brown, a converted wide receiver who now weighs 250 pounds, and junior-college transfer Sione Finefeuiaki, who arrived less than three weeks ago, are both in the mix for playing time.
The 6-foot-3 Brown is a strong pass-catching option, while Finefeuiaki is more of a traditional fullback-style blocker at 6 feet, 245 pounds.
“You don’t want to be a jack of all trades and master of none,” offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. “The first thing those guys have to be is physical.
“They’ve got to provide the contact level we need. And with all the things we do from a tempo standpoint, they’ve got to have a high football IQ. Then it’s nice to have ball skills on top of that.”
Learning the physicality that the position
requires has been part of the transition for Brown, who was a 185-pound receiver in high school when he graduated in 2014.
“As a receiver, you’re just worrying about the cornerback and the safety,” he said. “At Cowboy Back, you’ve got to know linebackers, defensive ends, the whole defense.
“You’ve got to come and bring it. You can’t be soft. You gotta put your head down and go to work.”
Finefeuiaki is naturally physical, but having only been on campus since the end of July, he’s working to pick up the offense.
“He’s learning fast and he’s ready to go,” Brown said. “He’s done the best he can to learn all the plays. He’s new and you’re gonna make mistakes, but he’s fixing the mistakes and getting better.”
With all three players having varied sets of skills, ultimately, they could all be involved in different ways.
“The important thing is that you modify what you do based on which Cowboy Back you have in the ballgame,” Yurcich said. “We’re gonna come along and be just fine to do what we want to do in that position.”