Cowboys Likely Won't Sign Running Back in 2020 Class
STILLWATER -- There were two commitments made by high school running backs this weekend that leave the Cowboys without a back in the 2020 class, except for multiple position athlete Zach Middleton out of Bishop Kelley in Tulsa.
Oklahoma State was working hard on recruiting Corey Wren, the 5-9, 170-pound scat back out of John Curtis High School in New Orleans, La. Wren had Oklahoma State in his final five along with Oklahoma, TCU, Louisville, and he picked Florida State on Sunday. Wren was going to visit Oklahoma State next weekend, Jan. 31.
The top target for the Cowboys at running back had been Lancaster, Texas running back Kevontre Bradford. The 5-11, 193-pound all-purpose back had 28 offers and Oklahoma State was in the thick of the battle, but Bradford had a visit this weekend to newly crowned national champion LSU. The Tigers had their back declare early for the NFL while the Cowboys have Chuba Hubbard back and that may have been the combination that swayed Bradford to commit to the Tigers on Sunday as he left his official visit.
With Hubbard back, the Cowboys also have L.D. Brown and promising junior college red-shirt Dezmon Jackson, who at 6-0, 203-pounds averaged 7.5-yard per carry and rushed for 1,216-yards and 13 touchdowns overall for Huchinson Community College. Then there is also developing high school red-shirt Deondrick Glass, not to mention walk-ons Micah Cooper and M'bari Snoddy. Cooper actually earned his way into meaningful carries last season.
There is no reason to take any backs that don't project to be able to perform at less than what is expected at the running back position at Oklahoma State.
A name for the 2021 class that stands out and becomes very important is Cam'Ron Valdez of Rockdale High School in Texas. The 5-9, 185-pound Valdez had 183 carries this past season for 1,699-yards with 24 touchdowns. He is an Oklahoma State caliber running back that was in Stillwater for an unofficial visit for the Cowboy Day/Junior Day on Saturday, Jan. 18. He would be a good running back to add in what Oklahoma State is calling their GOAT recruiting class of 2021 with the 21 symbolizing Barry Sanders.
There is also the option in the 2021 class of taking multiple running backs in that class.
Oklahoma State has already issued offers and already has a number of running backs in the cue for this week on the road, for next Saturday and the next Junior/Cowboy Day and then on into the spring.
The list includes (alphabetically) Brandon Campbell of Pearland; Tavierre Dunlap of Austin Del Valle; Donovan Edwards of West Bloomfield, Mich; Jonathan L.J. Johnson of Cy-Fair in the Houston-area; Alton McCaskill from Conroe Oak Ridge High School; Kaden Meredith of Longview; Qwontrell Walker down the street at Stillwater High School; and Camar Wheaton from Garland Lakeview Centennial.
Obviously, I've seen a number of these players. Dunlap is a big 6-1, 200-pounds plus back that has excellent speed for his size.
Johnson is a back that runs angry. He is 5-10, 205-pounds and while he can run away from most defenders, he prefers to run over most of them.
I saw Meredith run through Mesquite Horn for over 200-yards and three touchdowns.
Robert Allen - Pokes Report publisher
I saw Meredith run for over 200-yards in a game last season and he is electric with the ball in his hands. He has a great stop-start style and then in the clear shifts through several gears.
Walker has great vision and balance to go with his change of direction and speed.
Robert Allen - Pokes Report publisher
Walker is an extremely elusive runner that also has power and is strong and presents little target area for tacklers.
Camar Wheaton has been running through varsity defenses since he was a freshman at Garland Lakeview Centennial.
Wheaton is an easy top five player overall in the state of Texas and has been blistering opposing defenses since becoming a starter on varsity as a freshman.
There are a number of good running backs in 2021 and with Chuba Hubbard heading to the NFL, likely after another strong season then there should be plenty of excited candidates wanting to fill his shoes.