Offensive line class fills needs, restores depth
STILLWATER — Josh Henson’s first recruiting class since returning to Oklahoma State as offensive line coach had a lot for Cowboy fans to like.
And that’s not just the 299-pound average of the five linemen OSU signed on Wednesday.
Henson brought in long and lanky tackle prospects, plus powerful and compact interior players.
He scored well in his home state, signing three from Oklahoma high schools in Tuttle’s Hunter Anthony, Bixby’s Bryce Bray and Sulphur’s Jacob Farrell.
He plucked Tyrese Williams from Cypress Ridge High School in Houston, one of OSU’s favorite Texas recruiting grounds.
And he brought in the recruit in the class who is the farthest from Stillwater, Hunter Woodard of Tuscola, Illinois.
Most importantly, Henson brought in five players, helping fill some gaps down the depth chart for an offensive line that graduates three starters after the Camping World Bowl against Virginia Tech at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 28 in Orlando.
“We’re excited about them,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “We got quality young men. They’re big. They’ve got long arms.
“It’s what you need in a class. You need to have four or five of those big guys, put them in the culture. Let (strength coach) Rob Glass handle them for a couple years, change their bodies, and they’ll be ready to play after they’ve been in the program a couple years.”
OSU signed only one offensive lineman last February, and after Henson took over, he brought in another later in the year to bring their scholarship total to 14.
Henson would’ve been in an even tougher situation going into next season if not for some unique circumstances. Senior guard Larry Williams is a good candidate to get a sixth year of eligibility, and senior tackle Shane Richards redshirted this season, bringing back two veteran players who will likely be starters next fall.
“With this class, this is the first time that we got our numbers back up on the offensive line in about six years,” Gundy said. “You can’t ask a whole lot of them in the first two years. Sometimes they can be a little more of an impact after the first year.”