Oklahoma State Football: Ranking the 10 best players on the roster

Oct 1, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jalen McCleskey (1) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jalen McCleskey (1) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Marcell Ateman (3) carries the ball as Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Sam E. Richardson (4) defends at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Marcell Ateman (3) carries the ball as Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Sam E. Richardson (4) defends at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Marcell Ateman had his best season with Oklahoma State in 2015 before being sidelined by an ankle injury for the entirety of the 2016 season. Ateman caught 45 passes for 766 yards and five touchdowns in 2015 and he should be able to at least put up those types of numbers again in 2017.

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At 6-foot-4, Ateman gives Mason Rudolph his tallest target to work with this season. There’s something special that Ateman can bring to the Oklahoma State offense that gives the Cowboys a very unique dynamic. Between the elusiveness of Tyron Johnson, the straight away speed of James Washington, and the height and jumping ability of Ateman, the Cowboys have a little bit of everything in the receiving corps.

The combination of Ateman, Tyron Johnson, James Washington, Jalen McCleskey, and even Chris Lacy gives the Pokes the chance to have the best receiving corps in college football this season.

Ateman could very well be the fourth or fifth leading receiver by the end of the 2017 season. But right now, we assume he’ll be one of the best not only on the Oklahoma State roster but in the entirety of the Big 12 Conference.