Oklahoma State QB Commit Nick Starkel Throws for over 500 Yards, 5 TDs

Oklahoma State has enjoyed a strong run on the field and is creeping into the College Football Playoff conversation, especially after Saturday’s win over Big 12 juggernaut TCU. 

Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy and his staff are also getting it done on the recruiting trail.

The best example of that is the performance of 3-star quarterback and current Cowboys pledge Nick Starkel on Friday night.

According to Jordan Ottaway of the Denton Record-Chronicle, Starkel lit it up in leading Argyle Liberty Christian School to a 50-8 win over Plano John Paul II.

The 6’3”, 186-pounder completed 26 of 36 passes for 503 yards with five touchdowns and only one interception.

As Ottaway noted, Starkel’s scoring strikes covered 74, 62, 12, 87 and 38 yards.

The potential quarterback of the future for the Cowboys program threw for 297 yards in the first half to help the Warriors jump out to a 17-0 halftime lead.

Starkel and the Warriors put the foot on the gas in the second half, scoring 33 points in the third quarter to run away with the team’s sixth win.

“Nick is going to complete passes if we protect him,” Liberty head coach Barton Hundley told Ottaway. “Our offensive line did an excellent job of protecting him.”

Overall, it was the type of performance that illustrated how Starkel could fit into Gundy’s high-powered attack in Stillwater. 

As Bleacher Report’s Michael Felder noted, the strong points of Starkel’s game appear to merge perfectly with what Gundy looks for in his quarterbacks.

The nation’s No. 20 pro-style passer in the 2016 class has consistently displayed a quick release, the ability to get passes off with varying release points and his elusiveness in the pocket.

For Starkel, his stellar play in his senior season is a continuation of what was a strong offseason that saw him earn a trip to the finals of the Elite 11 competition.

As Bleacher Report’s Damon Sayles detailed, Starkel has a big fan in Elite 11 head coach Trent Dilfer—who said Starkel reminds him of current Texas Tech quarterback Davis Webb.

"He's my Davis Webb. He's a guy who maybe people were wondering if he'd be good,” Dilfer told Sayles. “He's going to not just be good, but he's going to be great. He has the frame, he has the mind and he has the release. The sky's the limit for this kid."

With the package of attributes Starkel will bring to Stillwater, Cowboys fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about his future in the program.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a national recruiting analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani