Should OSU consider a redshirt for Kendall Hunter?
Published: 10/1/2009 6:14 PM
Last Modified: 10/1/2009 6:14 PM
Sudden thought – what if Oklahoma State decided to redshirt junior running back Kendall Hunter?
Last year's Big 12 rushing champion has missed 2½ games because of a sprained right ankle and foot. Ankle-foot injuries are tricky deals. If it becomes apparent that this could be a lingering issue, and if it appears that Hunter would be affected for the majority of the season, then it might be smart to consider a redshirt.
The NCAA would grant an injury-hardship redshirt to a player who had not participated in more than 20 percent of the season as a whole. The 12-game regular season amounts to 48 quarters of football. Hunter was on the field for only six quarters, so he would qualify for the injury hardship.
Hunter has not yet burned a redshirt. He could return in 2010 with two remaining seasons of eligibility.
Could OSU achieve a 10-2 type of season with a running back rotation that included seniors Keith Toston and Beau Johnson and first-year freshman Jeremy Smith?
I believe so, yes – but only if OSU's offensive line begins to click as it did in each of the three previous seasons. The Cowboys led the Big 12 in rushing in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
While Hunter clearly is OSU's best big-play threat, I have a lot of respect for Toston's ability. He's durable, smart and gets tough yards. Can Smith, the former Union High School star, be effective against Big 12 defenses? Time will tell. He certainly gashed the Grambling State Tigers last week.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
