Devy Digest: Ollie Gordon

Andy Pham discusses Oklahoma State's star running back, Ollie Gordon, and his outlook for devy, dynasty, and college fantasy formats.

Oklahoma State Cowboys
Position: Running Back
Ollie Gordon
6’2” 216 lbs
Age: 20
Draft Eligible: 2024

Stats

Who is Ollie Gordon?

Gordon was a four-star in the composites and attended Trinity High in Euless, Texas. Gordon had a fantastic senior season and rushed for 2,546 yards on 257 carries with 35 touchdowns. Gordon would even line up as the wildcat quarterback and complete 14 of 28 passes for 293 yards and three passing touchdowns. Gordon was the engine for Trinity and held 16 offers out of high school and his decision came down to Missouri and Oklahoma State. Gordon appeared in every game as a Freshman and would see double-digit snaps in the final three games, which concluded with the Guaranteed Rate Bowl game against Wisconsin, where he earned his first career start. Gordon built upon that momentum in the spring by being the lead back into Spring camp. Head Coach Mike Gundy would publicly criticize Gordon's work ethic and consistency. Ultimately, that hard coaching worked, and Gordon would break out in 2023. After a slow start to the season, he was fed and delivered for the Cowboys and would help Oklahoma State turn the season around after South Alabama embarrassed them at home. Gordon would go on to rush for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns. That statistical season allowed him to win the Doak Walker Award, be named an All-American, finish seventh in the Heisman voting, and be a semi-finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Gordon heads into the 2024 season by many as one of the top prospects for the NFL Draft at the running back position.

Strengths:

At 6’2 and 216 lbs, Gordon is a light-footed runner who allows his blocks to form. The game never appears too fast for him; Gordon has the necessary patience to match. The combination of traits allows Gordon to find the crease that otherwise wouldn’t be there; Gordon is an improvisational runner with the adequate vision to be effective. Gordon is more finesse than brute strength, and while his build is someone you would think is a physical bruiser, he uses his finesse to beat defenders in a way you don’t see with runners nearing the 220lb threshold. Gordon has the frame to add ten pounds at the next level with a good strength and conditioning program. While in his third year, there’s still untapped potential with his frame, something we don’t often see with a third-year player in College. Gordon has a good short-area burst and has good enough hands as a receiver to pick up additional yards after the dump-off. Gordon has a lot of building blocks at his disposal.

Improvements/Concerns:

Gordon is not a physical runner; he shows the necessary contact balance to get through the first level, but there are times that I want to see more physicality. Cornerbacks that are sub 200 lbs take him down with ease. A runner of his frame should welcome contact and show his physicality, but his frame and playstyle don’t align, and that’s where the issue begins with him. I wouldn’t label him a soft runner, but at times, there’s too much finesse to his game and too much patience or dancing behind the line when he should just get behind his pads, lower his helmet, and work for the hard three yards needed. Gordon isn’t a receiving threat downfield and not someone who will be used to run options or wheel routes; he’s simply a guy you dump the ball off to and pick up an additional few yards as an extension of the run game out wide. Gordon shows good, but not great vision, and to be a patient runner, you need exceptional vision to find that hole at the last second behind the line. Gordon also doesn’t possess the elusive lateral quickness you want for that kind of runner. This goes back to his frame not matching his style of play. Oklahoma State has an excellent system for running backs, and we can go back to Justice Hill, Chris Carson, Chuba Hubbard, and Jaylen Warren. All were great system options, with Chris Carson being the most productive at the next level and a seventh-round pick whose career was shortened by injuries.

Beyond the Numbers: