OSU football: Clint Chelf has experience replacing an iconic quarterback -- Enid legend Austin Box

I don't know who will win the OSU quarterback job. The best guesses center on redshirt freshman J.W. Walsh, who might not have the arm nor the experience of Chelf, a fourth-year junior, but exhibits the leadership persona most coaches desire.

That's where Chelf's mission kicks in.

“I'm ready to get my opportunity and see what I can do,” Chelf said. “I always felt like I'm a natural leader. In high school, I had to follow a great player.”

That experience taught Chelf “just to keep working hard,” he said. “Not let pressure get to you. Go out there and work hard.”

Parker said he was fooled by Chelf's personality. Said he actually was angry with Chelf at one point of his high school career. Thought that Chelf was “too cool to step up and lead and put his heart out there.”

But Parker says he was wrong.

“That's so far from the truth, it's amazing,” Parker said. “He's very calm, cool and collected. Truth be told, he absolutely's got ice water running through his veins. He gets rattled by nothing. It's kind of amazing, really.”

And now the skeptic has become Chelf's biggest supporter.

“Clint's one of those guys, if you ever give him an opportunity, you're not going to get it back,” Parker said. “You're not going to get him off the field. If he ever gets the starting nod, they ain't ever going to take it away from him.”

Winning the job is Chelf's biggest hurdle. Adequately Replacing a star quarterback who will be remembered forever? Been there, done that.

Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@opubco.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can also view his personality page at newsok.com/berrytramel.