De'Zhaun Stribling ready to emerge from injury as one of OSU's best wideouts | Football

De'Zhaun Stribling had trouble suppressing his emotions.

When he learned that his junior season would end early, he managed to keep a cool head. After all, injuries happen in a physical contact sport. Nothing new.

But the more he thought about how his injury had occurred – a broken left wrist sustained during practice during OSU's off week, four weeks into the 2023 season – the more heavily these intrusive thoughts weighed on his mind.

“(It was) one of those freak accidents,” Stribling said. “These things happen. That's football.”

OSU's wide receiver room and offense thrived without Stribling, and the Cowboys finished the season with a 10-4 record and a victory in the TaxAct Texas Bowl over Texas A&M.

But now Stribling is back in team activities, wearing his gear and uniform, and ready to put the horrors of last season behind him. And, perhaps most importantly, he's ready to “give it his all,” he said.

“I'm excited to get back out there playing football,” Stribling said. “It feels like I haven't played in a really, really long time, but I'm just ready to go out there with the guys and do whatever I can to help us win games.”

After four games, Stribling was well on his way to establishing himself as one of the best, if not the best, wide receivers at OSU. In four games, he had gained 198 yards and scored a touchdown. And not to mention, his 6'2″ and 200 pounds and his agility as a receiver made him a real threat to opposing defenses.

However, when he suffered a season-ending injury, all his momentum was gone.

Fast forward: After months of rigorous rehab, he returned to team sports. Shortly thereafter, he stunned the offensive coaches in training and soon restored his reputation as a playmaker.

“I'm thrilled he's back,” said OSU wide receiver Rashod Owens. “When you add his skill set to our wide receiver room, when you look at all the talent we have, it's deadly.”

Stribling said he feels more explosive since his return. The nervousness that comes with joining a new team has faded now that he's been in the program for a year. And the thrill of fighting for a spot to return to the first team is an adrenaline rush, he said.

“You see everyone fighting and kicking and competing and it's a beautiful place,” Stribling said. “Everyone is getting better every day, not making the same mistakes twice and just getting better. It's a beautiful little place.”

“Hopefully I can play a (big) part in that.”

The Cowboys are already expected to have one of the most dynamic receiver units in the conference and college football with the return of Brennan Presley and Owens, but with Stribling as a backup, that assumption becomes even more likely.

Stribling will be eligible for the draft in the spring. A successful season as a redshirt junior could put him in the spotlight early in the NFL Draft. And head coach Mike Gundy has not lost sight of that possibility.

Stribling no longer has trouble suppressing his emotions. He's just ready to come to terms with himself on Saturday when OSU opens its 2024 season.

“He's got enough talent to play beyond that level if he continues to work, train, take care of his body and do all the things that are important to get to the next level,” Gundy said. “If he's willing to put in the work that needs to be done, we'll prepare him, we'll train him (and) we'll put him in that position.”

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