Why Korie Black’s decision to stay with Oklahoma State football was hugely valuable

STILLWATER — One of the most intently watched Oklahoma State football players last December and January was cornerback Korie Black.

Speculation was rampant about where he’d play in 2024.

Would he go to the NFL?

Would he enter the transfer portal to leave for another program, even perhaps join his younger brother at Texas?

Any of those seemed like viable possibilities, yet Black went with option No. 3, remaining at OSU for his super-senior season.

“I had a lot of talks with coaches and my parents,” Black said. “Through all those conversations, we pretty much came up with this.”

Black’s return is hugely valuable for a Cowboy defense looking to take a big step forward in the second year under coordinator Bryan Nardo.

Here’s a look at the cornerback position for the Pokes this spring:

More: Which Oklahoma State football players have most to gain in spring practice?

OSU’s Korie Black (2) celebrates a defensive stop next to OU’s Drake Stoops (12) during the Cowboys’ win in Bedlam on Nov. 4, 2023, in Stillwater.

Season rewind

Among players with more than 60 snaps played, Black was the third-best graded player on the OSU defense last season, according to Pro Football Focus, coming behind only Anthony Goodlow and Collin Oliver.

He played 680 snaps and his receiver was targeted just 35 times all season, so quarterbacks were avoiding him when possible. He allowed just 16 catches for 264 yards.

The second-most used cornerback was redshirt freshman D.J. McKinney, who has since transferred to Colorado, but the Cowboys rotated cornerbacks more frequently than ever before, getting plenty of experience for Cam Smith and Kale Smith (no relation).

The cornerback group was solid last year, but there’s still room for growth, and that seems to be happening this spring.

Roster management

Who’s out: D.J. McKinney

Who’s in:…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-korie-blacks-decision-stay-120154566.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-04-09 12:01:54

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