Oklahoma State’s already faint CFP hopes likely came to an end on Saturday as the Cowboys fell to 0-3 in Big 12 play with a 38-14 blowout loss against West Virginia. During the game, ESPN color analyst Kirk Morrison stated that he thinks Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon’s focus should now be on the NFL Draft.
Coming into the season, Gordon was expected to be one of the best running backs in the entire country after rushing for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns last year.
That has not been the case. Gordon’s only game with over 100 yards rushing came against South Dakota State, an FCS program, in Week 1.
Gordon, along with most of the Oklahoma State offense, was shut down by West Virginia on Saturday. And to make matters worse, he left in the third quarter of the game with a leg injury and did not return.
It’s unclear whether Gordon couldn’t return due to the injury, or if it was a decision made because Oklahoma State trailed 31-7 at the time of his injury.
Regardless, Kirk Morrison and Mike Monaco discussed Gordon’s injury on the call of the game on ESPN2, where Morrison suggested Gordon should do “what’s best for Ollie” for the remainder of the season.
“For me, If I am Ollie Gordon, I am putting myself in his shoes. This is not him, this is me. I probably played my last play at Oklahoma State,” said Morrison. “I would think so. Because his ultimate goal is to get to the National Football League. He’s won a Doak Walker, he’s won Offensive Player of the Year in the Big 12 last year. He wants to be in the National Football League. Right now, my health is my concern. I gotta look out for Ollie. That may be his last play at Oklahoma State.”
Morrison went on to break down the reasons why Gordon should potentially shut it down for the remainder of the season, suggesting he has “little” to play for at Oklahoma State.
“Ollie Gordon to me is a top-five back,” said Morrison. “And I think next year he still will be drafted. I remember last year, Jonathan Brooks tore an ACL and was still the first running back taken in the 2024 draft. Ollie may have to start thinking about himself as this game or this season continues. Not really much to play for.
“I don’t know if this team is going to win a conference championship. I don’t know if this team is going to win or get to a College Football Playoff. So you ask yourself if you are Ollie Gordon, what’s best for Ollie? And an injury right there on an offense with a quarterback not really playing well. Do you want to continue to take hits game in and game out?
Kirk Morrison after Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon was hurt in Saturday’s game.
“If I’m Ollie Gordon, I probably played my last play at Oklahoma State…Ollie may have to start thinking about himself as this game, or this season, continues. Not really much to play for.” pic.twitter.com/KFVBdnRieA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 5, 2024
It could potentially be a smart move for Gordon to potentially shut down for the season to ensure he will be healthy entering the 2025 NFL draft. However, there is also an argument that his struggles this season could result in him sliding down draft boards.
Regardless, considering Morrison’s background as an eight-year NFL veteran, it’s not all that much of a surprise to see him arguing for Gordon to worry about his NFL career.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.