STILLWATER – There's been multiple success stories throughout the 2020 season for Oklahoma State. Running back LD Brown exploded onto the scene this season for the Pokes, the defense is playing some of the best football we’ve seen from a Cowboy defense in quite some time and Dezmon Jackson’s performance against Texas Tech last week will go down as an all-timer.
However, in my humble opinion, there’s been no greater success story for the Pokes this season than corner Rodarius Williams.
Williams made the decision this past January to return for his senior season, a decision many people deemed appropriate.
“Well, I’m an advocate of players coming back that aren’t going to be high round picks,” said coach Gundy. “Again, I don’t know, but I’m just going to guess the product on the tape, he might have been, after last year, a late round pick, maybe a sixth-round pick. What advantage do you get not coming back and going to school and trying to raise your stock and somewhat protect yourself financially before you go in to make a roster? So, for him, I would have to ask those guys at some point after the draft, but he’s probably jumped himself three or four rounds.
“If we have first round picks, or even guys that are early second-round picks who can financially make themselves and their families stable for a long period of time just with the stroke of the pen, I would always recommend that those guys come out. Now, we’ve had guys come back: [Brandon] Weeden came back, [Justin] Blackmon came back, [Russell] Okung came back, [Brandon] Pettigrew came back. We’ve had a number of guys that have come back based on their decision; in most cases, it’s worked out well for them. So Rodarius has put himself in a really good position. I mentioned earlier what he’s done for our team, but himself individually, if he finishes this season strong, which there’s no reason that he shouldn’t if he’s healthy, he’s made himself a bunch of money just by his play that he’s putting on video.”
I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted the type of season Williams was going to have. Up to this point in the season, he’s recorded seven pass break ups, which is tied for seventh in the country.
Pro Football Focus also ranks Williams as the No. 15 ranked corner in the country and the seventh best draft eligible corner this season, as compared to having him ranked as the No. 57 corner following his junior season last year.
Walter Football also has Williams going in the second round at No. 52 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.
Williams has been one of the main reasons this Oklahoma State defense has been as good as they have been this season. He left the Texas Tech game this past week with a minor ankle sprain and coach Gundy said he should be able to practice this week, but they weren’t sure yet. With how good he’s been this season, hopefully he’s available to go this weekend against TCU and the remainder of the season.
