OSU football: Fall camp breakdown with the beat writers

Four questions for three writers.

Here’s a quick breakdown of Oklahoma State’s fall camp and a glance at how the program looks heading into the 2012 season.

1. How have your expectations of Wes Lunt changed since the end of spring?

John Helsley: My expectations, as far as how he’ll perform as a freshman in the offense, have definitely been ratcheted up. His accuracy, the way he carries himself, the confidence in him expressed by teammates on both side of the ball all point to the opportunity for a solid step-in season. At Texas Tech under Mike Leach, the Red Raiders regularly rolled in a new QB and kept humming. This offense is based on Tech’s old Air Raid attack. Of course, Lunt’s exposure so far has been in a comfortable environment. One free of hitting and the stress of a 240-pound defensive end boring in with ill intent. That tends to change things, influencing decisions and throws, especially for freshmen. Still, for now, expectations are reasonable that Lunt can lead a winner, perhaps a big winner.

Gina Mizell: Yes. I was not surprised he was named the starter out of spring (the only thing that would have shocked me then is if Clint Chelf had won the job), but the gap between Lunt and J.W. Walsh has widened considerably with Lunt now getting the vast majority of reps in fall camp. He’s taken care of the football and has shown an ability to distribute it to several receivers, which will be crucial in the Cowboys’ quest to replace Justin Blackmon, Josh Cooper, etc. The thing that has appeared to have impressed coaches and teammates the most is his composed demeanor. We’ll see what he’s really made of mentally when he goes through the Big 12 season, but the way he’s handled himself so far suggests he’s up to the challenge.

Anthony Slater: Everything with Lunt seems all business. No Twitter, no Facebook, no contact with the outside world, no distractions. This kid just wants to sling it around the Big 12 for a few years and ride that momentum to the NFL. Actually, stop me there. I can’t start talking about the pros with a kid that’s never taken a college snap. Right now, all we know now is that he’s been impressive in practice, constantly wowing his teammates. Every indication (and positive quotation) point to a future star. But tame the excitement Cowboy fans, let’s wait until he faces some Division I competition (and no, Savannah State doesn’t count).

2. What unit remains the most questionable coming out of camp?

John Helsley: Beyond quarterback? I’d probably have to say the receivers. I’d expect good things out of Tracy Moore, Charlie Moore, Josh Stewart and Isaiah Anderson, all of whom have enjoyed great camps. But it’s the next wave, which will be counted on, and which has accounted for a grand total of zero catches in the Big 12, that creates the biggest concern.

Gina Mizell: Agree on quarterback and receiver because of the youth there, but I’ll throw out a couple other positions. One is backup cornerback. We all know that Justin Gilbert and Brodrick Brown make up arguably the best combo in the Big 12. But because of the serious injuries to Devin Hedgepeth and Andrae May, and the fact that Larry Stephens has spent time at safety, the guys getting the second-team reps have been two redshirt freshmen in Jonovan Griffin and Miketavious Jones and two true freshmen in Kevin Peterson and Ashton Lampkin. Also, can’t forget needing to replace both starters at defensive end. I think Cooper Bassett, Nigel Nicholas and Ryan Robinson will be solid, but Blatnick was an All-Big 12 player, and he and Jones also had a huge leadership role on last season’s team.