Junior running back Beau Johnson transferred to OSU from Butler County Community College and joins returners Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston in the Cowboy backfield. The trio will have to make up for the loss of senior Dantrell Savage, who had 10 consecutive 100-yard games last season.
The Oklahoma State offense has been one of the most explosive units in the country the last several years.
The Cowboys have no intention of seeing that trend come to an end.
OSU hosted its second major scrimmage of the spring Friday.
The defense dominated overall, but the offense showed a glimmer of what fans can expect to see this fall.
The offense has shown through both scrimmages that it will have quality depth, and a lot of it.
The Cowboys have exhibited depth on offense this spring at nearly every position, particularly running back and wide receiver.
Depth at both positions is a necessity in sustaining the loss of former starters Dantrell Savage and Adarius Bowman.
The Cowboys situation at running back is particularly strong with the emergence of Beau Johnson.
Johnson, a transfer from Butler County (Kan.) Community College, joins incumbents Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston giving the Cowboys a strong rotation going into summer.
Johnson performed well on Friday with several long runs and he showed he has the ability to provide the Cowboys with a viable option in short yardage situations.
“Everyone knows what [Hunter] can do; he makes some big plays, but Beau Johnson has stepped up big time,” quarterback Zac Robinson said. “He came in here and learned the system and he knows what’s going on. He’s breaking tackles left and right. He’s going to be good for us.
“With those two guys, and when Toston gets healthy, those three guys, we’ve got all we need back there.”
Johnson came in this spring as one of the most highly regarded members of this year’s recruiting class, but coaches and teammates have said on several occasions how impressed they have been with his ability to pick up the team’s system and flow seamlessly into the rotation.
“Beau has come a long way,” Gundy said. “He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He’s very mature and very durable.”
Gundy said he expects Johnson and Hunter to share the No. 1 job heading into the season opener against Washington State on Aug. 30.
Johnson, who is 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, will provide a nice change of pace for the smaller Hunter.
The position will get even stronger when the Cowboys add incoming freshmen Travis Miller and Kye Staley, the Oklahoman Offensive Player of the Year, to the rotation in the fall.
The Cowboys have shown through two scrimmages that depth at wide receiver appears to be a strength for the offense, as well.
Sophomore Dez Bryant has emerged this spring as a legitimate No. 1 option for Robinson.
Bryant made several spectacular catches in the scrimmage capped by a 25-yard touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone from backup quarterback Brandon Weeden.
“He’s got potential to be unbelievable,” co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor said. “Some of the things he does I don’t have a drill for. It’s called genetics and ability, but the thing about him is he’s not afraid to work. You can push him until the very end.
“He does get frustrated and we’re working on that. You can’t get down on yourself after a play and let that play beat you twice. That’s the thing he’s got to learn; it’s called mental toughness.”
However, there is no questioning Bryant’s effort when the ball is in the air.
He routinely out jumped defenders on Friday and used his athletic ability to get in position to make plays.
“When he plays totally focused I wouldn’t trade him for anybody in the country,” Robinson said. “His big-play ability is huge.”
Sophomore Damian Davis has also emerged this spring as a big-play receiver and coaches said he has put himself in position to earn the starting job opposite Bryant.
Bryant is a big receiver at 6-foot-5, and he has shown good speed and route running ability.
“The thing I was worried about is he’s a tall guy,” Taylor said. “People can get under your pads so they can knock you back, but he’s done really well. He’s competed really hard.
“Double D is gonna show up and make some big plays for us.”
William Cole, Josh Cooper and Hubert Anyiam will add quality depth and speed at the wide receiver position.
Artrell Woods is also expected to make a full recovery from the spine injury he suffered in the Cowboys training facility on July 13.
Woods is scheduled to receive full medical clearance this summer and will compete for a starting position in the fall.
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