Oklahoma State Football: Who Will Be the Football Team's Marcus Smart?
Oklahoma State Cowboys freshman sensation Marcus Smart has taken the college basketball landscape by storm this season.
The young point guard has already won Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors and looks poised to take his Cowboys team deep into March Madness.
He's an amazing talent and an even better leader, showing the will and determination needed to take over in late game situations and get his team a "W."
It's going to be difficult for any of the incoming OSU football recruits to have anywhere near the impact Smart has had on the basketball program, but there is one guy who might have the ability and opportunity to make big waves next fall.
Naim Mustafaa isn't coming into Stillwater with quite the fanfare that Smart did; however, he's a 4-star prospect (per Scout.com) and plays a position that the Pokes desperately need to upgrade, defensive end.
Oklahoma State lost its three biggest contributors at the end position, as Nigel Nicholas, Ryan Robinson and Cooper Bassett have all graduated.
That means the Cowboys only have one guy in Tyler Johnson with real experience at the position.
That inexperience opens the door for a young recruit like Mustafaa to come in and earn immediate playing time, especially if they're on campus during spring practices like he is.
Mustafaa's elite athleticism made him a force in high school and should translate to the college level, helping him to become an excellent pass-rusher.
The young DE needs to add some strength before the season begins, but he has the frame to do so.
It also doesn't hurt that Rob Glass is one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country.
With his natural talent, better overall conditioning and a whole spring to learn the defense, Mustafaa is a prime candidate to get playing time opposite Tyler Johnson on the defensive line.
In football, it's obviously difficult for any one player to have the impact Marcus Smart has had this season, but if Mustafaa plays up to his ability, you could be looking at 2013's Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
