Oklahoma State Football: 5 Cowboys Ready to Be Stars

With players like Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon leaving the program for the NFL, the Oklahoma State Cowboys will need players who are ready to step up and be stars.

Joseph Randle, Michael Harrison and others will be the guys to do just that.

Here are the five who will be stars in the Cowboy program in 2012.

Joseph Randle

Joseph Randle proved his worth this season with 1,216 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns. However, he was greatly overshadowed by Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon.

This next year, the Cowboys will be without those two guys, and a larger emphasis will be put on the rushing game. Randle will have the chance to prove himself as one of the best running backs in the nation.

Michael Harrison

Michael Harrison had a less than great season due to an academic suspension and an ankle injury.

However, he's positioned right now to be the No. 1 wideout in Oklahoma State's high octane offense. He had 255 receiving yards and three touchdowns in just 20 catches.

With Blackmon, Hubert Aniyam and Josh Cooper all gone, Harrison will be the guy in the receiving corps. Expect him to have a big year.

Daytawion Lowe

Daytowion Lowe was a backup this season until it was announced that starting safety Johnny Thomas would miss the season.

Lowe showed up big time, accumulating three forced fumbles, 97 tackles, two sacks and an interception. He was all over the field for this defense and a big part of their success.

He's just a junior next year and will be even better. He'll be getting the attention of NFL scouts.

Justin Gilbert

The 6'0", 205-pound Defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl had a fantastic sophomore season.

Justin Gilbert had 59 tackles and five interceptions this season, including an amazing one against Andrew Luck.

Gilbert also is an electric return man, who averaged 34 yards per return against Stanford. He, along with veteran Brodrick Brown, will make life very difficult for opposing quarterbacks next season.

Josh Stewart

Josh Stewart was just a freshman this year, but he made it clear he is going to be a star.

He caught 19 passes for 291 yards and two scores this season in limited action. He'll get a lot more this next year as he'll probably replace graduating senior Josh Cooper as the slot possession receiver in the offense.

Stewart will be a three-year starter at Oklahoma State and has a good shot at leading the team in receptions next season.