Oklahoma State Football: 5 players trending up after spring 2019

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: A.J. Green #4 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts during the first half of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Wide receiver Henri Murphy #12 of the Virginia Tech Hokies catches a pass in front of cornerback A.J. Green #4 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys on December 28, 2017 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /

After a strong spring, there’s belief that senior A.J. Green is one of the top cornerbacks in the entire Big 12. While he hasn’t won all the honors just yet, there’s talk of him taking that next step and looking like a serious Jim Thorpe Award candidate and potential All-American.

Green had a positive junior season in which he finished ninth on the team in total tackles with 49 — 39 solo — and he led the Cowboys in pass breakups with 11 to go along with an interception.

Now that he’s the clear No. 1 cornerback on the team and an All-Big 12 front-runner, Green has plenty to live up to and he didn’t shy away from the hype this spring. He stepped into his role and looked the part, making some noise in the spring game.

In fact, Green forced the only turnover during the Cowboys’ spring game during a two-minute drill at the end of the contest at the goal-line. He stepped up, didn’t fold under pressure and made a clutch play to aid the defense.

If the secondary is going to see any improvement as a whole, Green will need to keep growing.

Home/Oklahoma State Cowboys