Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph has had a crazy time throughout his first two years in college football. In 2014, coach Mike Gundy burned his redshirt to start against the Baylor Bears in a 49-28 loss. However, he finished the season 2-1 after beating Oklahoma 38-35 and Washington 30-22 in the Cactus Bowl. He also led the Cowboys to ten straight victories to start the 2015 season. Rudolph is widely considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12. Since he is entering his junior year, he is eligible to declare for the NFL Draft in 2017.
Mason Rudolph Has First Round NFL Draft Potential
Outlook for 2016 Season
The Cowboys come into the 2016 season ranked number 19 in the Coaches Poll. Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington have a lot to do with them being ranked so highly. This year’s rankings have the Cowboys as the third highest ranking team in the Big 12. A lot of Rudolph’s success this year will be dependent on the offensive line and running game. He was sacked 30 times last season. This eventually led to a foot injury keeping him out of most of the Bedlam Game last year. The leading rusher for the Cowboys in 2015, Chris Carson, was only able to average 3.9 yards per carry. All five starters on the offensive line are back for this season. Furthermore, the Cowboys return their top three running backs from last season. Add in transfer running back Barry Sanders Jr. and improvement looks like a probable occurrence.
However, Rudolph was still able to thrive despite the struggles with the offensive line and the running game. He is coming off a season where he threw for 3,770 yards and 21 touchdowns. He could have had even more touchdowns if backup quarter J.W. Walsh hadn’t taken so many snaps inside the red zone. Considering 26 touchdowns from Walsh last year are now gone, Rudolph has the opportunity to pad his stats a lot more this year.
NFL Draft Potential 2017
Since Rudolph is coming into his junior season, he has the opportunity to stay at OSU after this season. Yet the prospect of being a first round pick might be too enticing for him. According to a Way Too Early 2017 NFL Draft by Bleacher Report, Rudolph will be taken 25th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. That would make him the third quarterback taken off the board behind Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and Miami’s Brad Kaaya. Furthermore, at 6’5″ and 230 pounds he has the prototypical size you want for a pro style quarterback. He will also have the chance to get off to a fast start this season with early games against Southeastern Louisiana from the FCS and Central Michigan. If he can gain momentum early in the season and keep the Cowboys in contention for a Big 12 title, his draft stock could soar.
Main Photo
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks to pass against the Mississippi Rebels during the second quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
