Randle commitment brightens OSU's backfield future
Published: 10/21/2009 9:00 AM
Last Modified: 10/21/2009 12:03 PM
On Saturday, Joseph Randle was among the 55,752 who convened at Boone Pickens Stadium for the Missouri-Oklahoma State football game.
On Sunday, Randle, rated by Scout.com as the nation's no. 17 running back recruit, telephoned Cowboy coach Mike Gundy and announced his commitment to the Cowboys.
Randle attends Southeast High School in Wichita, Kan. The 6-foot, 180-pound Randle is the only running back on OSU's 2010 commitment list. He has rushed for a career total of 2,500 yards and reportedly was recruited also by Missouri, Stanford, Ole Miss, Boston College, Kansas, Kansas State and Miami (Fla.).
If Randle does sign with the Cowboys in February, OSU will have on its 2010 roster three running backs – Jeremy Smith, Dexter Pratt and Randle – who were four-star prospects in high school, along with veterans Kendall Hunter, Travis Miller and Kye Staley. The backs will work behind a rebuilt offensive line, but that doesn't necessarily have to result in a production decline. OSU's Joe Wickline is among the best O-line coaches in college football. He says he loves the potential of young Cowboy linemen like Michael Bowie of Sand Springs, Brandon Webb of Owasso and Parker Graham of Webb City, Mo.
In 2010, Smith and Pratt would be redshirt freshmen and Randle a first-year freshman. OSU seems equipped to run the football effectively for years to come.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
