A few good men
Published: 9/19/2007 11:33 AM
Last Modified: 9/19/2007 11:33 AM
Much consternation has been lingering all year about Oklahoma State's deficiencies at defensive tackle. The group of four players rotating in at the two tackle spots – Maurice Cummings, Jeray Chatham, Junior Tea and Quencey Patrick – have performed adequately and maybe even exceeded some of the limited expectations placed on them.
However, the defensive tackles have not become disruptive forces at the line of scrimmage. And that has been one of many contributing factors to OSU's Swiss cheese defense through three games.
Cummings, Chatham, Tea and Patrick are the cards OSU has been dealt at defensive tackle. The Cowboys are like many college football programs. They are all looking for impact players at defensive tackle. That is the problem, though.
"There aren't that many to go around," defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said. "God only made a certain number of defensive tackles."
OSU coach Mike Gundy said anybody who is 6-foot-5, weighs at least 240 pounds, is athletic and can run is likely playing basketball or doing something else instead of playing football. Those young men with the physical characteristics Gundy described are perfect to play defensive tackle.
While the Cowboys have put together quality recruiting classes the past two years, each class was hurt by a last-minute defection. Both were at defensive tackle. Rajon Henley changed from OSU to Texas Tech in the class of 2006 and will start at defensive tackle this Saturday in Stillwater for the Red Raiders. Tyrell Higgins was viewed as a diamond in the rough at defensive tackle when he gave a commitment to OSU last winter. Then Higgins took a recruiting trip to Texas and was wowed by Mack Brown's sales pitch so much that he signed with the Longhorns.
OSU would love to sign high school kids at the position and develop them for two years before they take the field. But because of the scarce number of impact performers at the position, Gundy and his staff begrudgingly are evaluating a number of junior-college defensive tackles to help fill the gap.
OSU would love to sign Muskogee's Stacy McGee, one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the region. Problem is for the Cowboys is that Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Texas Tech and Nebraska would love to get McGee's signature as well.
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
