Oklahoma State football receiver position deep, talented despite hefty makeover
STILLWATER — Despite the 7-6 finish to the football season last December, Oklahoma State ended the year with promise at a few key positions.
Wide receiver perhaps more promising than any.
Then January arrived.
Within a week of the calendar turning to 2023, OSU saw three of its top five most productive receivers hit the transfer portal.
A position of excitement turned to one of alarm.
But coach Mike Gundy and his staff rallied hard, pulling some proven players from the portal to add to what was left of the young, gifted core. They grabbed a couple of high school prospects who will join the program in June.
And now, while the group is less proven than it was in December, it’s also less a cause for concern.
With spring practice set to begin in less than two weeks, here’s a look at the receiver position:
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Season rewind
Anticipation abounded last fall with all the young talent in the OSU depth chart, and injuries forced them to test that depth. But the receivers answered at nearly every opportunity.
Brennan Presley’s consistency and reliability reached a new level. Bryson Green showed his playmaking skill. John Paul Richardson flashed his knack for clutch catches. Stephon Johnson Jr. emerged as a future star as a true freshman.
And within a 24-hour period in early January, three of those four receivers hit the portal. Only Presley remained, and behind him, the most productive receiver left on the roster was Rashod Owens — who technically moved to tight end last year, but is back at wideout now — with six catches for 85 yards.
Add Braydon Johnson to the list of departures, after the super-senior had 566 yards on 32 catches, and the Cowboys lost four of their top five yardage producers at receiver.
Who’s out
Braydon Johnson, Bryson Green, John Paul Richardson, Stephon Johnson Jr., Langston Anderson, C.J. Tate, Braylin Presley, Vance Hooper
Who’s in
De’Zhaun Stribling, Arland Bruce IV, Leon Johnson III, Camron Heard*, Tykie Andrews*, Jalen Pope*
*-Will enroll in June
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The take
While the new group of receivers presents much more of an unknown quality, the talent leaves little question.
Presley is back at the slot and back in his role as the reliable leader of the group. Jaden Bray’s injury-plagued sophomore season is behind him and he maintained redshirt status by only playing in three games.
Blaine Green — Bryson’s twin brother who decided to stick around after Bryson transferred to Wisconsin — also redshirted because of injury, and is making the transition back to outside receiver after sliding to tight end midway through the 2021 season.
Also moving back from tight end is Rashod Owens, who has shown nothing but promise when he gets an opportunity to be on the field. And Talyn Shettron redshirted, but gained some experience and flashed the talent that made him a highly regarded recruit a year ago.
All that, and we haven’t even talked about the incoming transfers, any of whom could challenge for starting jobs. Arland Bruce IV, a junior who is coming in from Iowa, has the best shot at an immediate role, because he can fill the second slot role vacated by Richardson.
But both De’Zhaun Stribling, from Washington State, and Leon Johnson III, the 6-foot-5 transfer from Division III George Fox University, will fill roles in the two-deep.
Stribling is the most proven of the transfers, and if he picks up the offense quickly enough, he has the talent to step into a prominent role. Johnson had great numbers in two seasons at George Fox, sitting out the 2020-21 seasons, and he’s trying to make the jump from D-III, so spring is crucial for him.
And not to be forgotten is Cale Cabbiness, the reason for the happiest story of the offseason at OSU. The walk-on from Norman North and one of the stars of the Boise State win in 2021 was put on scholarship last week. He has played inside and outside, and has helped on special teams.
Depth chart
The starters
Outside receiver
Blaine Green, RSo., 6-1, 220
Jaden Bray, RSo., 6-2, 200
Inside receiver
Brennan Presley, Sr., 5-8, 175
Arland Bruce IV, Jr., 5-10, 200
The reserves
De’Zhaun Stribling, Jr., 6-3, 205
Talyn Shettron, RFr., 6-2, 195
Rashod Owens, RJr., 6-2, 219
Leon Johnson III, Sr., 6-5, 207
Mason Gilkey, RFr., 6-3, 175
Cale Cabbiness, RJr., 6-2, 200
Rylan McQuarters, RSr.**, 5-7, 180
**-Super-senior
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football deep, talented at receiver despite makeover
