OSU Player to Watch, Day 14: Jamie Blatnick

Oklahoma Sports brings you the 14th day of a 15-part series detailing the players to keep an eye on next season.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:32 am

By: News On 6

OSU Player to Watch, Day 14: Jamie Blatnick

Originally Published: Feb 28, 2010 4:22 PM CDT

More on Oklahoma Sports...
- OU Player to Watch, Day 14: Ronnell Lewis
- TU Player to Watch, Day 14: Jacob Bower

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

DE Jamie Blatnick

Background:

Jamie Blatnick was a two-star defensive end coming out of Celina High School in Celina, Texas. Blatnick redshirted his first season with the Cowboys and saw action in all 13 games in 2008, recording 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. In 2009 Blatnick improved over his freshman effort, grabbing 28 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He was also a first-team academic All-Big 12 player in 2008.

Why He’s on the List:

Despite a good rush defense performance in 2009, Oklahoma State had problems getting pass pressure and bringing down the quarterback, ranking eighth in the Big 12 in sacks with 29 for the entire season. Blatnick has improved steadily each year with OSU and 2010 should be no exception. The Cowboys were fourth in the conference in run defense, giving up only 95.8 yards per game for 3.0 yards per carry.

Best Case Scenario:

Blatnick doubled his number of tackles from his freshman to his sophomore year, and a similar jump in statistics would bode well for the Cowboys. If he increases his stats at the same rate for the 2010 season, Blatnick will walk away with something in the range of 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks. That would go a long way to anchor what will be, for the most part, a very young defense.

Worst Case Scenario:

The Oklahoma State defense has a lot of holes to fill on the defense and it need all of its experienced players to play up to their potential. If Blatnick and the other players with experience can’t live up to the standard they need to, the rest of the young defense will be slow to develop. His play could also have a direct effect on the play of the outside linebackers. When a defensive end doesn’t require much attention, the offense can commit more blockers to the linebackers.

My Take:

Oklahoma State needs Blatnick to step up for the sake of a defense that is young everywhere else. He seems like a player that has been able to progress and improve every season, so there is no reason that 2010 should be any different for the 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive end. It’s guaranteed that if Oklahoma State cant’ make progress in pass defense, they won’t be able to compete, despite most of the Big 12 south reloading on offense.

Other OSU players to watch (click the names below to read the full stories)

- Day 1: LB Orie Lemon
- Day 2: S Markelle Martin
- Day 3: RB Jeremy Smith
- Day 4: TE Wilson Youman
- Day 5: S/KR/PR Johnny Thomas
- Day 6: QB Johnny Deaton
- Day 7: OL Lane Taylor
- Day 8: LB Shaun Lewis
- Day 9: CB Andrew McGee
- Day 10: WR Justin Blackmon
- Day 11: RB Dexter Pratt
- Day 12: LB Caleb Lavey
- Day 13: OL Nick Martinez