STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -Wilson Youman made his name in high school on defense. That didn’t stop Oklahoma State from recruiting him for help on offense.
“I played tight end in high school a little bit, but if I got in game at tight end, the ball was coming to me,” Youman said. “I only had like seven receptions for five touchdowns.”
The strategy? “Throw the ball up,” the 6-foot-5 Youman said, and he’d go get it.
A defensive end at Martinville (La.) High School, Youman didn’t start learning the tight end position until he arrived in Stillwater – and he had one of the best to teach him. Youman started his career as a backup to Brandon Pettigrew, redshirting in 2007 before getting a chance to play as an injury replacement last season.
While Pettigrew – who’d become a first-round NFL draft pick – was out with a sprained ankle, he spent his free time tutoring Youman.
person this way … just giving me little pointers and stuff to help,” Youman said. “Really, I’m just taking everything that he taught me and transitioning to this season.”
The Cowboys host Houston this week. Youman has already been thrust into the starting role for the No. 5 Cowboys after Jamal Mosley left the team last week for personal reasons.
After making just one catch last season, Youman caught two passes for 25 yards in Oklahoma State’s 24-10 win against Georgia last week. His backup, Justin Horton, also had one reception as every OSU receiver except All-American Dez Bryant got shutout.
But Pettigrew, who was on the sidelines again Saturday as a spectator, taught Youman that there’s more to the position that catching touchdown passes.
“The No. 1 thing that he taught me, I would have to say, would probably be my blocking because in order to go to the next level obviously a tight end has to do good in the passing game,” Youman said. “But the No. 1 thing is the blocking game.”
That’s something Youman had little experience with in high school. He was called upon to make the occasional block in a goal line situation, but the rest of his know-how comes from being on the opposite side of the ball.
o my advantage, and it helps me with my blocking,” Youman said.
Now that he’s learning to read the secondary and contribute on offense, Youman said he’s feeling more comfortable in his new role
“I really don’t see myself as a defensive end,” Youman said. “I just see myself as a tight end now.”
Considering the circumstances, Oklahoma State’s coaches recognized Youman and the other tight ends with an award given each week to the position group that provides the best performance.
While Youman became the unexpected starter, Horton and reserve Cooper Bassett had to take on bigger roles after spending half their time on scout team duty leading up to the game.
“Those guys played well for their first chance to be out there when it counted,” Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said. “Wilson has played some, but he always played when was a back side guy or he wasn’t really at the point of attack. When he had to play some last year when Pettigrew was hurt, he had a chance to get his feet wet and get going.
“Essentially within the week, he got thrown into the fire and stepped up and made some plays.”
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