Oklahoma State Football: Predicting the Cowboys' 2013 Offensive Depth Chart

Brett Deering/Getty Images

The Oklahoma State Cowboys have extended their bowl streak to seven straight years after receiving an invitation to the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl. Luckily for them, they will likely return most of their offensive stars for the 2013 season.

In fact, the Cowboys have only a single starter at an offensive skill position that will be unable to return next season. Even senior fullback Kye Staley and senior wide receiver Tracy Moore will be returning, thanks to medical redshirts.

However, running back Joseph Randle could be tempted to join the professional ranks. There are also younger players who could be poised to overtake more experienced veterans. Here is how each skill position will shake out in 2013.

Quarterback

Brett Deering/Getty Images

2012 Depth Chart

1: Wes Lunt, Fr.

2: J.W. Walsh, RFr.

3: Clint Chelf, RJr.

2013 Predicted Depth Chart: Exactly the same

 

Sorry to all you Choo Choo Chelf fans out there, but it is extremely likely that the depth chart for next season will be the same as it was heading into the 2012 season.

Despite the success each quarterback has had, this decision is really one of talent and potential. When it comes to those things, Mike Gundy and his staff had the quarterbacks correctly positioned at the beginning of the season.

Of course, all of this goes out the window if one of them transfers to another school. However, I actually am one of the few who expect each to be back. Lunt will start, but Walsh will be used situationally as he was late in 2012.

Running Back

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

2012 Depth Chart

1: Joseph Randle, Jr.

2: Jeremy Smith, RJr.

3: Desmond Roland, Soph.

Predicted 2013 Depth Chart: Exactly the same

 

Sorry, this is getting boring.

How this position shapes up depth-wise is up to just one man: Joseph Randle. If he chooses to come back, the starting job will absolutely be his. The junior ran for 1,351 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2012, establishing himself as the best running back in the Big 12.

Randle also established himself as one of the country’s best pro prospects at the running back position. Although he would seem to be better off staying for another year, he would likely be taken as the third or fourth running back in the 2013 NFL draft.

Outside Receiver

Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

2012 Depth Chart

1: Isaiah Anderson, Sr.; Tracy Moore, Sr.

2: Charlie Moore, Jr.; C.J. Curry, Fr.

Predicted 2013 Depth Chart

1: Charlie Moore, Sr.; Austin Hays, Soph.

2: C.J. Curry, Soph.; Brandon Shepherd, Soph.

 

The outside receiver position was rocked by injury in 2012, as both Isaiah Anderson and Tracy Moore missed significant playing time due to various maladies.

Anderson is gone after this season, and while Moore will be back, I’m going out on a limb and saying that he will no longer be at this position. He had been an inside receiver for years, and I think he will be back there where he is a better fit.

Charlie Moore was streaky this season, but I think there is some legitimate deep-threat ability there. Austin Hays earned himself some playing time by filling in very well as a true freshman in 2012.

Inside Receiver

USA TODAY Sports

2012 Depth Chart

1: Josh Stewart, Soph.; Blake Jackson, Jr.

2: Torrance Carr, RFr.; Blake Webb, Fr.

Predicted 2013 Depth Chart

1: Josh Stewart, Jr.; Tracy Moore, Sr.

2: Torrance Carr, RSoph.; Blake Jackson, Sr.

 

Josh Stewart will obviously remain the starter here and the primary target of whoever is playing quarterback. Although it might seem like a good move to shift him to the outside as the primary receiver, his size and skill set are much better suited to inside receiver in this offensive system.

Unfortunately, Blake Jackson has shattered all the faith I had in him this season by dropping balls in the end zone. However, he does have massive potential with his size and speed. If he can get those drops corrected, he will most definitely be starting.

Torrance Carr (who we still haven’t not seen on the field) and Tracy Moore are who I am predicting to round out this talented group. Moore has proven himself at this position in the past, and I think he will do so again in 2013.