Texas Football: 3 problematic Oklahoma State players for the Longhorns
Brennan Presley, WR
On offense, two playmakers stand out above the rest for Oklahoma State. The first we’re going to take a look at is the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and senior slot receiver Brennan Presley.
Presley is the go-to target for offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn, Gundy, and the Pokes in the passing game on offense. Not only does he lead Oklahoma State in targets and receptions this season, he also leads the Big 12 in targets (109) and ranks second in the conference in receptions (76).
While he’s essentially been the primary target for the Pokes in the passing game all season, his targets have really ramped up in the last two weeks. In the two wins that helped Oklahoma State clinch a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game, Presley was targeted a whopping 33 times, resulting in 24 catches for nearly 300 receiving yards.
Gundy has made it clear that getting Presley the football is a top priority in this offense. And why wouldn’t you, considering the variety of ways Oklahoma State likes to motion him around pre-snap and get him the ball in space? He can generate separation running routes and is dangerous with his ability to pick up yards after the catch.
He leads the Big 12 this season in yards after the catch (489).
Presley is also an extremely reliable target, with only three drops on the season and over 70 receptions. He might be smaller in stature (at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds), but he’s got strong hands and isn’t afraid to bring down those tough contested catches in tight windows. Presley is tied for the lead in the Big 12 in contested catches this season with nine. And the wideout he’s tied with in contested catches is another Oklahoma State receiver, Rashod Owens.
Oklahoma State will likely target Presley most often in this game against Texas’s defense via screens and quick developing route concepts in the short and intermediate passing game. Oklahoma State likes to get the ball out of super senior quarterback Alan Bowman’s hands early to avoid getting him pressured in the pocket.
Getting the ball to Presley is often the best way for Oklahoma State to get their top playmakers involved in spots where they’re dangerous out in space. Presley ranks second in the Big 12 in targets and catches behind the line of scrimmage, only behind junior Texas receiver Xavier Worthy.
I also expect a lot of pre-snap motion from Oklahoma State with Presley since he leads the Big 12 in motion targets this season (25). Texas will likely try to either bracket Presley or lock senior nickel Jahdae Barron on him in pass coverage.
Motioning Presley around can give Oklahoma State different ways to get him in better matchups than against one of the best coverage DBs in the Big 12 in Barron.