Wide Receiver: Who’s Next?

Watching Tylan Wallace haul in another of his ridiculous receptions, the realization popped into mind.

We’ve witnessed many elite receivers in the Mike Gundy era.

And, it appears, we’ll get to watch Wallace one more time, as he confirmed his commitment to play in the Cheese-It Bowl.

For that, we’re lucky. And we’ve been lucky for a long time.

Of Oklahoma State’s top 10 career receivers, eight – including Nos. 1 through 4 – have come with Gundy at the helm. And the Cowboys coach had a hand in the other two, as RashaunWoods’ offensive coordinator for three seasons spanning 2001-03 and as Hart Lee Dykes’ trigger man from 1985-88.

Sure, teams are flinging footballs like never before, and have been since the early years of the Big 12.

Still, it’s been an amazing run in Stillwater, with the baton passed from one Cowboys playmaker to the next, almost without fail, since 2006. We nearly always knew who was next.

D’Juan Woods to Adarius Bowman to Dez Bryant to Hubert Anyiam to Justin Blackmon to Josh Stewart to Tracy Moore to Brandon Sheperd to James Washington to Wallace. And there were some splendid alternate options too, like Brandon Pettigrew (yes, tight ends once starred at OSU) and Josh Cooper and JhajuanSeales and Brandon Shepherd and David Glidden and Chris Lacy and Jalen McCleskey and Dillon Stoner.

The Cowboys have played a marvelous game of pitch and catch under Mike Gundy.

And the line of succession has routinely been clear.

Until now?

Wallace and Stoner are gone following the bowl game, and Wallace could opt out before then, either due to injury or to focus on prep for the NFL Draft.

So, who’s next?

Good question.

No obvious answer.

Braydon Johnson stands as OSU’s third-leading receiver this season, albeit with only 20 catches for 248 yards and one touchdown in what was supposed to be a breakout year for the speedy wideout. No breakout ensued.

Langston Anderson carries premium prospect pedigree and high marks from coaches, but hasn’t been able to stay healthy through two seasons on campus.

So, where does that leave the Cowboys in regard to the coveted and needed go-to guy are receiver? The answer is cloudy.

Maybe Johnson enjoys his breakout next fall. Maybe Anderson finally finds good health. Maybe Brennan Presley can make like Josh Stewart and thrive in the slot. Maybe someone else on the roster emerges, like Rashod Owens or Jonathan Shepherd.

Or maybe the Cowboys’ next star wideout isn’t on campus yet.

Could be a grad transfer, with the immediate opportunity to shine in a passing Big 12 offense serving as a drawing card.

Could be a freshman, with four promising candidates in this latest recruiting class: twins Bryson and Blaine Green out of Allen, Texas, Jaden Bray out of Norman or John Paul Richardson out of Missouri City, Texas.

The Green brothers could be the best bets to provide instant impact, with a combination of size and speed that plays now.

"Those guys are going to play at 215-220, so you're looking at a completely different body structure (than Tylan Wallace), but with athleticism.

“It's interesting, every time that I called them or FaceTimed them, I only had to call one of the numbers cause they were inseparable, just like the Wallace brothers. Close-knit, close-family, going to bring a lot to the family, but they can play at 220.”

Enjoy Tylan Wallace one more time, as he closes out a superb Cowboys career in Orlando.

But then it gets serious for the Cowboys coaching staff in discovering who’s next.