Why I’m Buying Stock in Chris Carson

Oklahoma State’s leading rusher from a year ago is returning for his senior season after signing last February as one of the most hyped recruits to join the Pokes in years.

And yet the pessimism is nearly audible surrounding the former Butler County running back who turned down a chance to play at Georgia to come to Stillwater.

His first year at OSU, admittedly, was met with mixed results: 557 yards, 4 touchdowns, on just 4.25 yards per carry. Although finishing No. 113 in the nation in rushing hardly falls solely on one guys shoulders.

But it’s important to remember, this was his first year at the Division I level. You don’t become an all-american overnight. Heck, just being counted as the No. 1 back on the roster doesn’t happen overnight.

Reflecting on last season, running backs coach Marcus Arroyo stressed the big jump it takes from JUCO to Div. I in an interview with Scout several weeks ago:

“I’ll use Chris Carson as an example,” Arroyo said. “A junior college kid coming into his first year with no summer training is not much different than a true freshman (like Jeff Carr) from a high school position.

“I think the one thing we have to be careful about,” Arroyo said, ” is building statues sometimes for something that hasn’t happened yet.”

And while experience at the next level (past high school) is certainly valuable, the jump is more than just matching up with dudes from a physical standpoint. In fact, that’s where Carson shouldn’t worry.

“For everybody, it’s an adjustment you have to get used to,” Carson told The Oklahoman. “It’s the best of the best athletes you’re playing against. Junior college, high school players, everybody, you got to just go over and get used to it. The speed is different, of course it’s a little faster. It’s just the terminology and down to the detail is part of it a lot different.”

So yeah, maybe comparing him to Adrian Peterson before he stepped foot on a field was a little much.

After what many believed was a hint at hitting his stride last season, an ankle injury derailed him in the Texas game, and Carson never seemed to be 100% the rest of the season — not only from a football standpoint, but from a confidence standpoint.

Carson returns his senior season with a full year under his belt and a season full of Div. I experience. He knows the grind of training camp, and of football season. And what has me sold on Carson isn’t the experience, it’s the proverbial chip he almost certainly carries on his shoulder. Believe it or not, players hear the same chatter fans spew on social media. I’m willing to bet No. 32 has a more motivated mindset than ever and is itching for the chance to prove his doubters wrong. That’s why I’m buying stock in Chris Carson.