Bill Haisten: Calvin Bundage could be for OSU what Eric Striker was for OU
BRANSON MO NEWS: STILLWATER — During National Signing Day two years ago, highly regarded Edmond Santa Fe prospect Calvin Bundage waited until mid-afternoon to announce whether he would sign with Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Arizona, Arizona State or Oregon.At that time, I was assigned to the OSU football beat. After having covered Mike Gundy’s news conference that morning, I was planning a drive to Edmond for the Bundage announcement.A person close to the Cowboy program persuaded me to scrub that mission.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t waste my time,” the source told me. “I don’t think we’re getting Bundage.”At the moment of truth, Bundage was seated at a table. There were five hats, one representing each of the five finalists in his recruiting process.When the drama reached its zenith, he reached for the OSU hat and placed it on his head.In February 2016, it was a significant recruiting victory for the Cowboys.In September 2018, Bundage may be on the verge of becoming for OSU what Eric Striker was for the 2015 Sooners — a playmaking linebacker and a dynamic, disruptive pass-rush force.The same Bundage who was a 178-pound Santa Fe senior safety now is a 220-pound Cowboy junior. On third-and-long situations during the Missouri State opener last week, he would slide from his outside linebacker position to defensive end.On passing downs, the defensive tackles ran to the sideline and left the front manned, from left to right, by end Jordan Brailford, end Jarrell Owens and Bundage.It wasn’t a one-game experiment. It’s an all-season speed option for new OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who during the spring recognized that Bundage could be used as a pass-rush weapon.“Coach Knowles keyed into (the potential of) that package as soon as he got here,” Bundage said. “ …
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