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STILLWATER — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy only met Jaden Allen-Hendrix a week ago. And Gundy immediately noticed the frame of the running back recruit.
Six feet, 2 inches and 225 pounds is hard to miss.
“He’s a potential 245-pound back,” Gundy said. “He’s just kind of scratching the surface.”
That’s what the Cowboys are banking on.
OSU landed signatures from 17 high school football players on Wednesday’s National Signing Day. The class featured a talented quarterback, impressive linemen and some strong local flare.
But the addition of running backs Allen-Hendrix and even Del City star Rodney Fields Jr. really give the Cowboys potential to boost a backfield that already features Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon II.
More: Oklahoma State football flips LaDainian Fields from TCU on National Signing Day
Rodney Fields escapes the tackle of Andrew Hancock at a semi-final playoff game as Del City plays Claremore on Nov 24, 2023; in Noble, Oklahoma, USA; at Noble High School. Mandatory Credit: Steve Sisney-The Oklahoman
“All backs do but Ollie over the last two months has taken a lot of hits, so the physicality that (Allen-Hendrix) brings to the table and then obviously with Rodney he gives us some of that but a little more side-to-side,” Gundy said.
Fields was a bit of a known asset around the state. His physicality, even at 5-9 and 185 pounds, makes a difference with his speed.
But Allen-Hendrix was an unknown until he visited campus last week and committed less than 24 hours before signing his National Letter of Intent.
A star at Irmo High in Columbia, South Carolina, where he averaged 9.5 yards per carry, he held offers from Charlotte and several FCS programs. There was no interest from Power Five programs deep in the heart of SEC country.
“Maybe they just thought, ‘We can go get other players in other…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-oklahoma-state-football-sees-123044139.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2023-12-21 12:30:44
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