Oklahoma State Football: Ranking the 10 best players on the roster

Oklahoma State football enters 2017 with enormous expectations, and these 10 players will have the biggest say in the team's success this season.

The Oklahoma State football program enters the 2017 season with a large amount of hype following a solid end to 2016. The amount of talent returning on offense puts the Pokes among some of the best offenses in the country. OK State returns nine starters on offense but only five on defense. Talent is still plentiful on both sides of the ball.

Oklahoma State has been ranked as high as no. 6 in many editions of way too early top 25 polls for the 2017 season, by media outlets such as ESPN and Bleacher Report. Yet, many question the ability of the Cowboy defense to keep some of the better Big 12 offenses from putting up enormous numbers, especially the likes of the Oklahoma Sooners, Baylor Bears, and Texas Tech Red Raiders.

This list was determined by multiple factors including the overall talent of each player, pedigree of their career in Stillwater, potential for success during the 2017 season, and the role played in the past success of Oklahoma State. Obviously, the younger and less experienced the player, the harder it will be for them to make to to the top of this list.

The order of this list and the actual players on it will change during the course of the season, and that's one of the great parts of ranking this type of stuff. Preseason speculation is just one of the few things that college football fans get to push themselves through the struggle of dealing with the offseason months.

Since significant offseason events such as Spring Games, National Signing Day, Spring Practice, and the bulk of the transfer period have concluded, fans have to sit and wait for media days to come around. Now, let's take a look at a ranking that hopefully can get Big 12 and Oklahoma State football fans' minds off of the wait for the 2017 season, at least for a little bit.

Sep 24, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive back Patrick Levels (21) picks up a fumble in front of Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Williams (56) during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Larry Williams

OG, Senior

Brought into the starting lineup early in the 2016 season, Larry Williams helped stabilize Oklahoma State's offensive line almost immediately. After rough times during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the Cowboy offensive line needed to be better in 2016, and it was. The line allowed Freshman All-American running back Justice Hill and also Chris Carson run wild last year.

Williams experienced a leg injury in the middle stretch of the 2016 season, but he made his return by the end of last season in the Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. He's firmly entrenched in the starting lineup once again in 2017.

Overall, the Oklahoma State offensive line returns a ton of experience with four seniors including Williams, Zachary Crabtree, and Cal transfer Aaron Cochran. Yet, Williams might be the most underrated of the bunch. He originally transferred to Oklahoma State back in November 2015 from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

Williams is the only player on the Cowboy football roster from North Carolina. Moreover, Williams is one of two players, as a whole, from the Carolinas. Quarterback Mason Rudolph is the other as he hails from Rock Hill, S.C.

Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver Tyron Johnson (3) finds a hole in the Auburn Tigers defense in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Tyron Johnson

WR, Sophomore

As the only player on this list that has not played a single game in an Oklahoma State uniform, wide receiver Tyron Johnson committed to play for head coach Mike Gundy back in August 2016. Johnson originally committed to LSU to play for former OK State head coach Les Miles. Yet, the amount of talent that Johnson brings to Stillwater this fall is unquestioned.

Johnson was the No. 3 overall wide receiver in the 2015 recruiting class. He is, by far, the highest profile recruit/transfer coming to Stillwater this fall. Moreover, as you will see on the rest of this list, Johnson just adds another weapon to Oklahoma State's incredibly deep receiving corps.

The thought of having Johnson and James Washington on the field at the same time should make Oklahoma State fans salivate. If nothing else, Johnson just gives Mason Rudolph another weapon to work with.

Johnson has only caught nine passes in his college football career. During his freshman campaign in 2015 with LSU he caught nine passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers should shoot up pretty drastically this season.

Oct 29, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Ramon Richards (7) reacts after dropping the ball intended for West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Ka'Raun White (2) during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

Ramon Richards

S, Senior

The converted cornerback to safety, Ramon Richards, looks to fill a huge role in the Cowboy defense this season. With former safety Jordan Sterns gone, Richards also has huge shoes to fill. The fact that he'll start next to Tre Flowers should make the transition at least a little bit easier.

Richards made huge strides, improving drastically over his last two seasons in Stillwater as a cornerback. He has eight career interceptions, and returned two of those for touchdowns. Having that ball hawking presence at the safety position should help out defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer immensely.

The biggest worry for Oklahoma State in the wake of Richards' position change is the gap he leaves at corner on the depth chart. Clemson transfer Adrian Baker could plug that gap as well as the pair of sophomore cornerbacks A.J. Green and Madre Harper. Expect Harper to step up in a big way in 2017.

Richards brings another dynamic to the safety position that Sterns could not. Deep balls were a weak point of Sterns' game and also one of Richards' strongest. Richards became a well-developed coverage corner in his time behind No. 1 corners such as Kevin Peterson and Ashton Lampkin.

Nov 14, 2015; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Marcell Ateman (3) carries the ball as Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Sam E. Richardson (4) defends at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Marcell Ateman

WR, Senior

Marcell Ateman had his best season with Oklahoma State in 2015 before being sidelined by an ankle injury for the entirety of the 2016 season. Ateman caught 45 passes for 766 yards and five touchdowns in 2015 and he should be able to at least put up those types of numbers again in 2017.

At 6-foot-4, Ateman gives Mason Rudolph his tallest target to work with this season. There's something special that Ateman can bring to the Oklahoma State offense that gives the Cowboys a very unique dynamic. Between the elusiveness of Tyron Johnson, the straight away speed of James Washington, and the height and jumping ability of Ateman, the Cowboys have a little bit of everything in the receiving corps.

The combination of Ateman, Tyron Johnson, James Washington, Jalen McCleskey, and even Chris Lacy gives the Pokes the chance to have the best receiving corps in college football this season.

Ateman could very well be the fourth or fifth leading receiver by the end of the 2017 season. But right now, we assume he'll be one of the best not only on the Oklahoma State roster but in the entirety of the Big 12 Conference.

Oct 8, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Tre Flowers (31) breaks up a pass to Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Deshaunte Jones (8) during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Tre Flowers

S, Senior

Tre Flowers had his best season statistically with the Pokes back in 2015 where he posted a career-high in solo tackles (65), tackles for loss (3.0), and interceptions (2). Even though Flowers regressed statistically in 2016, his effect on the field was felt even more. Jordan Sterns started opposite Flowers last season and took away many of his would be tackles.

Flowers is one of the five returning starters for the Cowboy defense in 2017. Former cornerback Ramon Richards (also on this list) moves over to the other safety position alongside Flowers. The transfer of former Clemson cornerback Adrian Baker should allow Richards' move to corner easier on players like Madre Harper, A.J. Green, and Jerel Morrow.

More than anything, Flowers will be counted on to be one of the leaders of the Cowboy defense. Fellow Cowboy defenders such as linebacker Chad Whitener and Richards will be looked to as leaders.

Safety might also be the most important position for the Pokes on defense in 2017 because of the quality of offenses in the Big 12. Defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer has to deal with numerous high-powered and talented offenses in conference play.

Oct 1, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jalen McCleskey (1) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen McCleskey

WR, Junior

No player made bigger strides in the shadow of other players on the Cowboy offense than slot receiver Jalen McCleskey. He was an undersized special teams threat that was deeper on the depth chart during his freshman campaign in 2015. Last season, McCleskey became the second-favorite target for Mason Rudolph behind star receiver James Washington.

McCleskey caught 73 passes for 812 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Moreover, McCleskey now has more than 1,000 receiving yards and 100 catches in his two seasons in Stillwater. He will, once again, be relied upon to take some of the pressure off Washington and be yet another talented weapon at Rudolph's disposal.

Receivers like Dillon Stoner and Tylan Wallace could also use McCleskey as a mentor over their next two seasons. McCleskey has a unique skill set that makes him an extremely valuable slot receiver that other Cowboy receivers could definitely learn a lot from. And if McCleskey can experience the same amount of statistical growth that he did last season, the possibilities are scary in 2017.

McCleskey is the third of four receivers on this list, showcasing the overall depth and talent at Mason Rudolph and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich's disposal.

Sep 17, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) runs the ball as Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Chad Whitener (45) defends during the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Whitener

LB, Senior

Middle linebacker Chad Whitener experienced a breakout season during his sophomore campaign back in 2015. He followed that up with another solid season, leading the Cowboy defense to help head coach Mike Gundy to rack up his second 10-win season in a row.

This year, Whitener will be counted on to produce some of the biggest numbers and be the biggest leader on the defensive side of the ball for Oklahoma State. He'll be starting alongside redshirt junior weakside linebacker Justin Phillips and senior strongside linebacker Kirk Tucker. However, Whitener is the only one of the three with significant starting experience.

Whitener's career numbers are more than impressive. Through two years at Oklahoma State and one year with the California Golden Bears he racked up nearly 170 total tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.

If Whitener can put together more performances like he did against the TCU Horned Frogs in 2015, where he intercepted quarterback Trevone Boykin twice and returned one for a touchdown, he'll be up for All-Big 12 honors for the first time in his career.

Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Justice Hill (27) carries the ball in the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Justice Hill

RB, Sophomore

Justice Hill had himself one heck of a freshman campaign last season. He became the first Cowboy running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards since Joseph Randle back in 2012.

Altogether, Hill rushed for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns last season on his way to being named to the USA Today Freshman All-American team. Moreover, Hill was complimented beautifully by former Oklahoma State running back Chris Carson who's now gone before the 2017 season.

The pressure falls on Hill to be able to shine as the sole starter in the backfield with Mason Rudolph. Three other running backs that should compete for the backup job behind Hill include incoming freshman Chuba Hubbard and J.D. King and junior Jeff Carr, who could be a dark horse for the Cowboys in 2017.

Hill is extremely fast, agile, and elusive and should be one of the best running backs in the Big 12 in 2017. He could very likely emerge as the best running back in the conference by the end of the season. Hopefully, a sophomore slump or poor play from the offensive line does not doom Hill for a down season in 2017.

Sep 10, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver James Washington (28) runs in for a touchdown ahead of Central Michigan Chippewas defensive back Amari Coleman (7) during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Central Michigan won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

James Washington

WR, Senior

The fourth and final wide receiver on this list, James Washington is also possibly the best returning wide out in the entire country. Washington leads all returning receivers in career receiving yards with 2,923 and career receiving touchdowns with 26. Moreover, he averages a whopping 19.2 yards per game over the course of his three previous years with the Pokes.

Washington has the explosive ability to take the top off of defenses in a flash. There's no other way to describe Washington beside polarizing. Along with owning the title of entering the season possibly as the best receiver in the country, Washington is also possibly the best big play threat in the nation.

Washington's receiving yards climbed by more than 300 yards in 2016, posting more than 1,400 receiving yards. The thought of Mason Rudolph and James Washington having yet another season in Stillwater should be terrifying for Big 12 defenses.

Rudolph and Washington announced that they would be returning for another season in Stillwater before the 2016 Alamo Bowl against Colorado. That announcement might be the single most important key to Oklahoma State's success in 2017.

Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Rudolph

QB, Senior

Picking between James Washington and Mason Rudolph for the top spot among Oklahoma State's most talented players on the roster was a tough one. Yet, there's no denying the single most important player to the Cowboy offense, and that's Rudolph. He had a spectacular 2016 campaign, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

Rudolph will have to improve his play on the road in 2017, but the discrepancy between his statistics in 2015 and 2016 is large. And that trend is encouraging for Oklahoma State fans entering 2017. Rudolph only threw for 21 touchdowns with nine interceptions in 2015 and 3,770 yards. The number of touchdowns improved by seven and the number of interceptions decreased by five between 2015 and 2016.

Considered among the best NFL Draft prospects in college football, Rudolph could establish himself as the best quarterback in the 2018 class if he has an impressive 2017 season. However, he'll have to be better than quarterbacks such as UCLA's Josh Rosen, Washington State's Luke Falk, Wyoming's Josh Allen, USC's Sam Darnold and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield.

More than anything, Rudolph will have to beat the Oklahoma Sooners for the first time since his freshman campaign back in 2014. That's the biggest key to Oklahoma State finally reaching that next level in 2017. Another team that Rudolph will have to finally get past is the Baylor Bears, the only Big 12 team he is winless against in his career.