OSU football notebook

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Published: March 11, 2008

Coaches getting acclimated
Seven junior college players aren't the only ones getting adjusted during Oklahoma State's 15 spring practices. OSU has three new coaches.
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New co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor said he's looking forward to working with OSU's no-huddle, spread offense, a style of offense that's growing in popularity nationwide.

Taylor, who coached the past four years at Tennessee, said he will provide some new ideas but admits it would be a mistake to tinker much with an offense that's been ranked in the top 10 nationally the past two seasons.

"What's best for the players?” Taylor said. "They already have a system. Players know how things unfold. I wouldn't want to change any of that. My main thing as co-coordinator is to make sure we're putting the best product on the field, putting players in position to be successful.

"We don't want to beat ourselves. We want to eliminate stupid penalties, make sure we don't turn the football over and make sure we get the ball in our playmakers' hands. If we do that, we'll win a lot of games.”

•Pro Day: OSU will hold its annual Pro Day on Wednesday. An estimated 20 NFL teams are expected to send representatives to Stillwater to put players through NFL Combine-like workouts.

Wide receiver Adarius Bowman and running back Dantrell Savage both should be drafted.

Other seniors who could land a free agent contract, even if they're not drafted, include: defensive end Marque Fountain, linebackers Donovan Woods and Rod Johnson, offensive lineman David Koenig, cornerback Martel Van Zant, defensive tackle Mo Cummings and fullback Julius Crosslin.

Additional OSU players hoping to make an impression include wide receiver Tommy Devereaux, linebacker Jeremy Nethon, fullback Zach Carter, wide receiver Scott Broughton, defensive back Billy Lewis and running back DeAaron Martin.

•Spud time: Tailback Kendall Hunter, best known by his nickname Spud, accounted for 833 yards of total offense as a true freshman, including 696 rushing yards.

Junior college transfer Beau Johnson will push Hunter for the starting job. Both should play key roles regardless of who starts.

"Spud has what you need to be successful,” said running backs coach Curtis Luper. "You really don't know what they have inside them until you see them. He's a great competitor. He didn't blink. He'll stare any situation down and just attack it.

"He has a suddenness to him. That's what we were looking for when we recruited him. We look for backs that are sudden. All of a sudden they (hit the brakes), make a change of direction, stop and then have that sudden burst.”

By Mike Baldwin

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After searching far and wide for a staff that would compliment a mega-million dollar facilities donation, it became obvious that reuniting a losing 1990's Baylor Staff lead by a ex Baylor position Coach who did a minor and un-notable position coach stint at Maryland was the right move. It's kind of like purchasing a 5 star resturant at Rockefellar Plaza in New York then hiring a $8.00 per hour fry cook and his assistants from a out-in-the-country I-35 Denny's as your head chef. Chili Chese Stew Blue Plate Special on 5th Avenue! Hey! It make work! Who knows? ---------------- Boone IS good at playing oil futures though... perhaps he should stick to that.
richard, Stillwater - Mar 12, 2008 12:28 AM
• Report: Offensive language