OSU Players to Watch, Day 11: Dexter Pratt

Oklahoma Sports brings you the 11th day in a 15-part series detailing the players to keep an eye on next season.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:31 am

By: News On 6

OSU Players to Watch, Day 11: Dexter Pratt

Originally Published: Feb 23, 2010 9:46 PM CDT

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Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

RB Dexter Pratt

Background:

Dexter Pratt was an early enrollee to Oklahoma State in January 2009 and was one of the most decorated recruits of the 2009 class. He was the No. 10 rated athlete by Rivals.com and the No. 15 ranked player in the state of Texas. Pratt was recruited by several Big 12 and SEC schools and even committed to LSU before committing to the Cowboys. The 6-foot-1-inch 224-pound running back from Navasota High School in Texas ran a 4.48 40-yard-dash and was a regional qualifier in the 100-meter-dash.

Why He’s on the List:

Oklahoma State is down one running back with the graduation of Keith Toston, and Pratt is the right kind of back to counter the shifty running style of Hunter. He’s a bigger back than Hunter, but still has the speed to make plays. He didn’t see playing time when hunter went down, but that was due to Toston and Beau Johnson were filling in admirably. With Toston and Johnson graduating the obligation of being the second back will fall on either Pratt or Jeremy Smith.

Best Case Scenario:

The best thing for any offense, no matter how good your starter is, is a great backup. When Kendall Hunter is not on the field, Pratt fills in and he fills in admirably. The better Pratt does with whatever touches he does get, the more comfortable the coaches will be giving Pratt more touches. If Pratt proves to be the guy, it will add an additional dimension to the run game, his combination of speed and power will be a nightmare for defenses.

Worst Case Scenario:

Like any highly touted recruit, the pressure and expectations can prove to be too much. So much is expected from these young players, and a bad game early on can snowball into a confidence problem that can cost a whole season and derail a once-promising career. If Pratt gets playing time and doesn’t produce early, he could end up in a quicksand situation unable to escape.

My Take:

It’s clearly Hunter’s offense, but the second back spot is a very pivotal role in any offense. There’s going to be competition in spring football between Pratt and Jeremy Smith. Whoever wins, Pratt should also see a lot of goal line looks because of his size. Pratt has the tools to be a big-time player for the Cowboys, but will have to capitalize on every touch he gets, with Smith in close competition for the task of backing up Hunter.

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