Justin Blackmon: A changed man

Justin Blackmon has emerged as Oklahoma State’s No. 1 receiver.

The sophomore has made it happen.

After a 174-yard, three-touchdown performance against Tulsa, I talked to Blackmon about his transformation from just one of the guys a year ago to the man this season.

“I know I got faster and stronger,” he said. “It’s just that confidence I have running with the ball, knowing that I’ve got a size advantage against some of the defensive backs.

“It’s just something that clicked, and I’m starting to go with it.”

Is he ever.

Teammates, even those guys on the defensive side of the ball, are taking notice.

(And you know defensive players never like giving props to offensive ones.)

“Last year, he used to catch the ball and get tackled,” Cowboy linebacker Orie Lemon said. “Now when I see him catch the ball, he don’t want to go down. The want has changed with Blackmon from last year to this year.”

Blackmon didn’t snap his fingers and become the Cowboys’ top target. He has transformed himself into that role. He has earned his spot at the top.

He earned it in the weight room and in the off-season workouts. He earns it in practice every day. And on the field, he is earning it every time he touches the ball.