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Transfers add depth, talent at OSU
Junior college players adjust fast to help the Cowboys.

Jeremiah Price, pictured after intercepting a pass against Troy, is one of several junior college transfers to make significant contributions for OSU this year. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World
 
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 10/30/2008  2:13 AM
Last Modified: 10/30/2008  3:25 AM

Junior college players adjust fast to help the Cowboys.



Joe DeForest was wearing out the path between the fax machine and the Oklahoma State football team's meeting room on a cool Wednesday afternoon last December.

"It's junior college signing day," the associate head coach said with a bit of joy and relief mixed in with a touch of anxiety.

DeForest had spent most of the previous few weeks in Kansas and Mississippi, visiting juco prospects Swanson Miller, Beau Johnson, Maurice Gray, Lucien Antoine, Chris Donaldson and Jeremiah Price. DeForest also made trips to Georgia and Florida to visit the families of these prospects.

DeForest, along with defensive coordinator Tim Beckman and head coach Mike Gundy, wanted to sell parents the opportunities their sons would have by picking OSU.

On that day, one week before Christmas, the hum of received faxes was an early Christmas present.

Almost 11 months later, those presents are still making coaches happy. The juco transfers have bolstered the depth, talent level and experience of the program.

Price has developed into a starter at defensive end. Donald Booker has been a force on special teams, and has emerged as a pass rush specialist. Johnson, Miller and Gray have been dependable reserves. Antoine was a starter at safety before injuring his knee on the opening kickoff in the second game this year.

"You kind of hate to extend yourself, but we almost hit a home run with our junior college kids last
year," Gundy said. "Because they've given us some speed and some depth and some maturity, but also they've been great kids."

Gundy admits there is a risk in signing junior college players, especially the number (10) the Cowboys added before this season.

For starters, teams only have two years with these players.

More often than not, Gundy believes that first season is tough for the juco transfers because the transition to major-college football is radical. The game is faster. The schemes are more elaborate. The conditioning is tougher. The academics are more stringent.

In evaluating juco players, Gundy and his staff see how important football is to them before determining if they will fit into OSU's plans.

This year's group fit in well.

"They're all winners," Beckman said. "You can say we struck gold or became lucky in taking guys who knew how to win because they are helping us to win now."

Because they are in their first season in the Cowboys program, the juco transfers are off limits for media interviews.

But veteran OSU players insist they all have been a welcomed addition.

"They have fit in. The chemistry with all of those guys is great. It's almost as if they have been here a long time," senior free safety Quinton Moore said. "They're all great players and they want to play football just like us. They want to be on the field, and when they're on the field, they contribute."

Said linebacker Andre Sexton: "Competition is the greatest motivator, and all of those players have come in ready to compete. That makes everybody better."



Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com

JUCO JUMP-START



OSU signed 10 junior college transfers in last year's recruiting to boost the depth and talent level of the program. A brief synopsis on all 10 players:

Lucien Antoine: Hard-hitting safety and special teams performer was lost for the season after injuring his knee on the opening kickoff against Houston on Sept. 6.

Donald Booker: Linebacker has made the majority of his 19 tackles on kick coverage and recently developed into a pass-rushing specialist.

Bo Bowling: Wide receiver from NEO and Tonkawa High School has caught eight passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns.

Chris Donaldson: Only a sophomore, the defensive tackle has seen limited playing time. Had seven tackles against Missouri State on Sept. 13.

Maurice Gray: Reserve cornerback has made nine tackles this season and recovered a fumble against Texas A&M.

Beau Johnson: Plays behind Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston at running back. Has 266 yards and two touchdowns.

Swanson Miller: Has worked his way into the defensive tackle rotation. Recorded 10 tackles, including two for lost yardage.

Andrew Mitchell: Choctaw native is the main backup at offensive tackle for Russell Okung and Brady Bond.

Tolu Moala: Linebacker hurt his shoulder prior to the start of practice and has sat out every game.

Jeremiah Price: Defensive end has helped fill the need as a pass rusher. Tied for team lead in sacks and has 4.5 tackles for lost yardage.
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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1 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Rhymeister, Tulsa (10/30/2008 6:36:46 AM)
As someone who once went to a juco powerhouse I can tell you there is a lot of talent in junior colleges in OK, KS, TX, CA, etc. I hope Ok State keeps getitng players from jucos cause it's a good way to quickly fill some holes. They don't have to sign as many as they did last year every year but somewhere around 5 and potentially up to 8 are good numbers I should think.

In those seasons where it looks like you have immediate needs it's well worth taking the risk, albeit small IMO, you just have to check the kids' grades and attitudes.
 

 
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