OSU Players to Watch, Day 6: Johnny Deaton

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

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:30 am

By: News On 6

OSU Players to Watch, Day 6: Johnny Deaton

Originally Published: Feb 20, 2010 4:13 PM CDT

More on Oklahoma Sports...
- OU Player to Watch, Day 6: Jeremy Calhoun
- TU Player to Watch, Day 6: Jake Alexander

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

QB Johnny Deaton

Background:

After leading Oklahoma Class 6A in rushing and ranking third in passing his junior season, Johnny Deaton was high on the Cowboys' wish list for the 2010 recruiting class. His senior season was marred by a collar bone break in the season opener, but that did not stop him from rehabbing and coming back to play for Sand Springs in their regular-season closer and in the playoffs. Deaton enrolled early at OSU to get a head start and compete for the 2010 starting quarterback job.

Why He’s on the List:

The term “dual-threat” has become an overused descriptor for quarterbacks and often a euphemism for a running quarterback who can’t really throw. This is not the case for Johnny Deaton. The Sand Springs native accounted for 3,383 yards in his last full season playing for the Sandites, and was easily one of the best players in all of the state. He plays the quarterback position very similar to outgoing quarterback Zac Robinson. He looks pass first, but is fast enough to make something happen with his legs if he can’t throw the ball.

Best Case Scenario:

There are two best case scenarios for Johnny Deaton and Oklahoma State. He comes on campus and is everything he is hyped up to be right from the start. He beats out junior Brandon Weeden for the starting quarterback job, which means he’s good enough to carry the team. The other best case scenario for Deaton and the Cowboys is that he is good enough to challenge Weeden for the starting job, but not quite good enough to overtake him for the No. 1 spot. The competition will force them both to get better and force Weeden to keep his play high for fear of losing his spot.

Worst Case Scenario:

The absolute worst case scenario for Deaton and OSU is that he has trouble adjusting to the speed of the college game. For guys like Deaton, it was easy for them to dominate on the field and they sometimes have trouble adjusting to playing at the next level. But someone with his level of talent will be able to adjust with a bit of time in the system. Spending time in the system should help him adjust to the speed of the game.

My Take:

This is the kind of system that a player like Deaton can thrive in. New offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will probably favor the more traditional passer in Brandon Weeden, but if Deaton beats him out, he beats him out. The freshman is talented enough to challenge for the starting spot, but will probably end up holding a clipboard for at least one season before taking the helm from Weeden. It will be tough sledding throughout his career at OSU; the Cowboys just landed J.W. Walsh, one of the top quarterbacks from Texas in the 2011 class.

Other OSU players to watch (click the names below to read 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/Ret Johnny Thomas