Oklahoma State Football Recruiting: The 10 Greatest Recruiting Classes

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are now one of the best up-and-coming programs in college football. But that doesn't just happen overnight. It takes years and upon years of hard work and recruiting.

The Cowboys have had many great recruiting classes over the years—most of which were not considered great until after they'd passed through the Cowboy ranks.

Here are the top 10 best recruiting classes in Cowboy history.

1942

This class is on here for just one reason: Bob Fenimore. The QB/HB/DB combo was the biggest reason why the Cowboys went 8-1 in 1944 and 9-0 in 1945. He led the nation in total offense in 1944 and finished third in Heisman voting in 1945. He also set the career interception record at Oklahoma State (18), which still stands today.

1973

Terry Miller came in during this year and was a big part of why the Cowboys won their only Big Eight championship in 1976. He played all four years and, during the 1976 conference championship run, rushed for 1,714 yards and 23 touchdowns.

1980

During his time, Rusty Hilger was the best quarterback in Oklahoma State history. Given the very last scholarship Oklahoma State had in 1980, Hilger went on to lead the Cowboys to three bowl wins during his four years in Stillwater. He also went to have a seven-year career in professional football.

1984

If it weren't for a guy named Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas would be considered the greatest running back in Oklahoma State history. However, Thomas was good enough to keep Sanders on the sideline for awhile.

Thomas is the leading career rusher in Cowboy history with 4,595 yards and 43 touchdowns. He was also in the top 10 in Heisman voting twice, a consensus All-American and a big part of the Cowboy surge during the late 1980s.

1985-1986

Mike Gundy set a school record for total career yardage during his four years at Oklahoma State. Together with Barry Sanders (1988 Heisman Trophy winner) and Hart Lee Dykes, Gundy led one of the most prolific offenses in college football history.

2000

Rashaun Woods finished his career with Big 12 records in career receptions, yards and touchdowns. Tatum Bell was a three-year starter who rushed for over 3,400 yards in his career.

Each of them helped bring Oklahoma State out of the dreadful 1990s and into the more prosperous era of the 2000s.

2006

The Cowboys' recruiting class of 2006 was one of the most instrumental in starting the program's recent string of success.

Russell Okung (picture above), a 2010 first round pick, was a big part of this class. Other difference-makers in this class included Orie Lemon (leading tackler in 2010), Keith Toston, Dantrell Savage, Shane Jarka, Ugo Chinasa, Terrance Anderson and Derek Burton.

2007

The Cowboys continued to build on their recruiting success in 2007. Dez Bryant (pictured above) and Richetti Jones were the two big nabs for the program, as both were very highly recruited.

Other guys in this class include Tonga Tea, Jamie Blatnick, Hubert Aniyam, Kendall Hunter, and Josh Cooper. All but two of the men mentioned on this slide were part of the Cowboys' 23-3 record over the last two seasons.

By the way, the Cowboys also added an extremely unknown walk-on named Brandon Weeden with this class.

2008

Justin Blackmon was part of the 2008 recruiting class. The two-time Biletnikoff Winner, who wasn't all that highly recruited, headlines a class that includes Markelle Martin, Brodrick Brown, Quinn Sharp, and Johnny Thomas.

2009

You might be noticing a pattern here. You should be.

The 2009 class just continued to build on past success toward this past year's Fiesta Bowl win. The Cowboys brought in players like Daytawion Lowe, Brandon Webb, Clint Chelf, Michael Harrison, and Levy Adcock.

The strength of this class will probably be determined even more next year.