Tulsa World: OSU seeks help at receiver

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OSU seeks help at receiver

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 2/22/2009 2:30 AM
Last Modified: 2/22/2009 3:12 AM

A few weeks ago, when looking ahead to the 2009 season, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy would have identified Dez Bryant, Damian Davis and Bo Bowling as his starting wide receivers.

But when spring practice begins March 9, none of those wideouts will be involved.

Bryant, an All-American who last season had 87 catches and a school-record 19 receiving touchdowns, continues to recover from January knee surgery. His participation in spring drills is expected to be minimal.

"I don't need spring practice to know that Dez Bryant can catch the football," offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said.

Davis, because of an unspecified violation of a team rule, recently was dismissed from the program. Bowling was suspended indefinitely after felony drug charges were filed against him in Stillwater.

While the Cowboys are extremely deep at running back, their receiving corps has been significantly depleted.

OSU has only six scholarship wide receivers available for complete involvement in spring drills. Senior DeMarcus Conner, sophomore Hubert Anyiam and sophomore Josh Cooper have a combined career total of eight catches. Justin Blackmon, Isaiah Anderson and Adrian Richards are redshirt freshmen.

"We've lost some receivers, but the guys we have on campus — I'm excited about all of them," quarterback Zac Robinson said. "I saw Blackmon a lot last year. He got a lot of reps last year before (the coaches) decided to redshirt him. He's very athletic and can really run. I'm excited to see what he can do.

"Adrian is a tall kid (6-foot-4) and he can run. This is a big spring for him. Isaiah is one of the faster guys on the team. It's just a matter of getting reps for those guys and seeing how they fit in."

Blackmon is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound product of Class 2A Plainview High School in Ardmore.

"Justin Blackmon definitely has a chance to step in and do some things. I'm anxious to see what he can do," said Brewer, who will coach the receivers this year after coaching quarterbacks in 2008.

Said Gundy: "Physically, Justin may be a little ahead of the others. Isaiah is fast, but he's not physical. Adrian has done a nice job in offseason workouts. Ultimately, it all comes down to who can stay healthy in spring ball."

Gundy will conduct 15 spring practices, including the April 18 Orange-White game at Boone Pickens Stadium. The March 9, 11 and 13 and April 3 practices will be open to the public.

A newcomer to watch is Dylan Brown, a former Florida All-State receiver from Tampa. After spending two seasons with the OSU baseball team, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Brown has decided to switch to football.

"Dylan was a good high school player, but he's got a long way to go to compete at this level," Gundy said. "We'd certainly like for him to contribute. Maybe he can pop up and make some plays for us."

OSU SPRING PRACTICE DATES

March 9*, 11*, 13*, 24, 25 (2:20 p.m.), 27, 30

April 1, 3*, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15 (3 p.m.)

April 18: Orange-White game, 6 p.m.

All times are 3:30 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

*open to the public

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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	Report Comment Rhymeister, Tulsa (2/22/2009 8:34:11 AM) Ok State has a wealth of RBs, how about a Kye Staley at wideout?
	Report Comment MexiMike, tulsa (2/22/2009 1:48:41 PM) There's a small word that William Cole is trying to earn his way back onto the team. He is still on campus taking classes. Maybe being kicked off has knocked some sense into him...

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