Why Mike Gundy thinks Oklahoma State receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has NFL potential
STILLWATER — One of Mike Gundy’s biggest challenges in spring practice is protecting his veteran players.
Particularly those who are coming back from fall injuries, like Oklahoma State receiver De’Zhaun Stribling.
“We’ve had to back him off a little bit, because he’s practicing like he doesn’t have an injury, which is a good sign,” Gundy said. “Our defense is doing a good job of protecting him. For the most part, we could turn him loose. It’s just not really necessary.”
So Stribling has spent the spring in a green no-contact jersey with a brace on the wrist he broke in practice last October.
“I was trying to make a play and just landed wrong on my hand, and broke my wrist,” Stribling said last week, speaking to the media for the first time since the injury last year. “Rehab’s been great. I for sure feel like I’ve made improvements. I feel stronger in my wrist than I did prior to the injury.”
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The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Stribling — who played in just four games, allowing him to redshirt as a true junior last year — started the season strong, with at least 60 yards in the three of his four games. He didn’t catch a pass against South Alabama, leaving with a minor injury.
Though he had some limitations after the wrist injury, Stribling turned his focus to strength improvements last fall and winter.
“I feel really good,” he said. “I feel much more explosive.”
With a strong frame and good hands, Stribling just needs to continue showing his route-running and productivity levels are good enough for the NFL. But Gundy can see it happening.
“He’s got enough ability to play beyond this level if he continues to work, practice, take care of his body and all the things that are important to get to the next level,” Gundy said. “If he’s willing to put the work in, we’ll get him ready, we’ll train him, we’ll put him in that position. But he does have enough of that ability to go to the next level.”
Here’s a look at the receiver position for OSU this spring:
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Season rewind
Injuries staggered the receiver group to the point that for some road games, OSU would take only five wideouts, which often included one true freshman from the group of Tykie Andrews, Jalen Pope and Camron Heard.
But Rashod Owens’ emergence was huge. He finished with 895 yards on 63 catches, despite not becoming a primary option until the fifth game of the season.
Similarly, Leon Johnson III went from expected redshirt candidate to starter over the second half of the season, finishing with 539 yards.
The steady player of the group, Brennan Presley had over 100 catches and nearly reached the 1,000-yard mark.
But the list of injuries grew long, at times including Stribling, Jaden Bray, Blaine Green, Talyn Shettron and others.
Roster management
Who’s out: Leon Johnson III, Jaden Bray, Blaine Green
Who’s in: Tré Griffiths, Fr.
Arriving in June: Da’Wain Lofton, Sr.
The take
Owens was last year’s big surprise, emerging from his third-team spot in the preseason to be one of the team’s most reliable receivers. Presley will continue to do what he does as he climbs the charts among OSU’s most productive receivers.
And now, Stribling’s return fills the spot vacated by Johnson, stepping back into the primary outside receiver position in the group with Presley and Owens — which could be a scary sight for defensive backfields next season.
“I imagine it gives them a lot of trouble,” Stribling said. “You gotta pick your poison. What do you want to do? How do you want to scheme us up? It’s exciting from our perspective. No matter what they do, they’re wrong. No matter who you try to cover, who you try to stop, there’s other guys who can make plays also.”
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Depth chart
The starters
De’Zhaun Stribling, RJr., 6-2, 200
Brennan Presley, Sr.*, 5-8, 160
Rashod Owens, RSr., 6-2, 230
The reserves
Talyn Shettron, RSo., 6-2, 190
Cale Cabbiness, RSr., 6-2, 200
Tykie Andrews, RFr., 5-11, 195
Camron Heard, RFr., 6-0, 170
Jalen Pope, RFr., 6-1, 205
Mason Gilkey, RSo., 6-3, 170
Tré Griffiths, Fr., 6-3, 200
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy says De'Zhaun Stribling has NFL potential
