OSU football notebook: Cowboys not low on receiving talent; Van Zant to receive award

Assistant coaches will call plays in Saturday's Orange-White spring game but it's still uncertain who will call plays for the season opener against Washington State in Seattle.

Coach Mike Gundy and co-offensive coordinators Gunter Brewer and Trooper Taylor agree much of the play calling will be based on decisions made during the week when game plans are devised.

"When you get in certain situations, third-and-long or third-and-short, you've already coordinated that,” Taylor said. "A certain person would be responsible for that call to put us in the right play. The biggest thing is organization and being on the same page.

"Bottom line is coach Gundy is going to have the final say-so. He sits at the front of the table for a reason. Does he listen to us? Obviously we will all have input. It will be good because we'll be cross-checking and balancing each other out.

"But on big plays, fourth-and-ones, or whether you run a fake, those plays always come from the head ball coach. He'll have the final say so. But first-and-10 and regular downs we'll all have input.”

•Young but talented: OSU's wide receiver corps lacks experience but as many as seven different receivers could be part of the rotation this season.

"With guys who redshirted last year, plus Dez (Bryant) and Damian (Davis) who played last year, we've got a lot of guys who can help us,” said quarterback Zac Robinson. "We'll be a legit two deep. There are some guys still learning but talent-wise it's the best since I've been here.”

•Van Zant honored: Former cornerback Martel Van Zant will be presented with the 2008 Giant Steps Award by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports as part of a banquet in Orlando, Fla., in November.

Van Zant, who helped lead the Cowboys to bowl games three of his four seasons, has been deaf since birth. The NCAS honors individuals who exemplify using sports as a vehicle for positive social change and also have a balance with academics.

In addition to recording 127 career tackles, Van Zant has earned numerous community service awards.

•Big plays: Taylor emphasizes players must embrace the handful of opportunities they get to provide momentum-changing plays.

"I'm a big LaBron James fan,” Taylor said. "When he walks on the court he makes an immediate impact. He doesn't wait until the fourth quarter. He plays hard all the time. Even if he makes a mistake he's still willing to take that big shot.”

By Mike Baldwin