Eric Morris Sees Shades of Michael Crabtree in Wyatt Young—And a Dangerous WR Duo Emerging

Eric Morris knows what an elite college receiver looks like.

He played alongside one of the best.

So when Oklahoma State's head coach mentions Michael Crabtree while discussing Wyatt Young, it's going to get your attention.

But let's establish something immediately.

Morris isn't declaring Young the next Crabtree.

That would be an enormous—and unfair—comparison.

What Morris sees are similarities in their journeys.

Both were high school quarterbacks who transitioned to wide receiver. Both were relatively new to the position when they began making their mark. And now, entering only his third year playing receiver, Young is beginning to show Morris that he's becoming increasingly comfortable with everything the position demands.

That's exciting enough on its own.

Then you add Miles Coleman.

Suddenly, Oklahoma State might have one of the more intriguing receiver combinations in the Big 12.

The name Michael Crabtree carries serious weight.

Morris knows that better than almost anyone.

He played at Texas Tech when Crabtree became one of the most dominant receivers in college football, and Morris still remembers the iconic catch against No. 1 Texas.

He called it the “greatest catch in college football history.”

So when Crabtree's name comes up, context matters.

Morris isn't predicting Young will become one of the greatest receivers in college football history.

He's recognizing similarities in how the two learned the position.

Crabtree played quarterback in high school.

So did Young.

That quarterback background can provide a unique understanding of space, leverage and what the player throwing the football is trying to accomplish.

Now Young is learning how to use that knowledge as a receiver.

This might be the most exciting part of Morris' evaluation.

Young is still relatively new to playing receiver.

Morris can see the development happening.

Young is becoming more comfortable manipulating defenders in man coverage.

He's dangerous in space.

He's difficult to tackle.

Those aren't small improvements.

They're the traits that can transform a talented athlete into a legitimate offensive weapon.

Morris now has to figure out how to maximize them.

And he essentially acknowledged exactly that.

Oklahoma State needs to be strategic about finding ways to get Young the football in open space.

Get it into his hands.

Then let him create.

Young isn't the only receiver generating excitement.

Morris said Coleman has had “the best start of anybody” since Oklahoma State began working together this summer.

That's significant.

Especially considering the amount of attention surrounding several of the Cowboys' offensive weapons.

Coleman gives Oklahoma State something different.

That's where this combination becomes particularly interesting.

Morris described Young and Coleman as a potential “one-two punch.”

That's exactly what Oklahoma State needs.

The best receiving corps aren't filled with identical players.

They force defenses to solve different problems.

One receiver might require more size and physicality in coverage.

Another can create separation underneath, catch a short pass and turn it into something much bigger.

That forces defensive coordinators to make choices.

Change personnel?

Adjust coverage?

Move defenders around?

Every adjustment creates another opportunity somewhere else.

That's what Morris hopes Young and Coleman can provide.

We've spent plenty of time discussing Morris' offensive creativity.

This is where it becomes especially important.

If Young is as dangerous in space as Morris believes, Oklahoma State can't simply line him up in the same spot every snap and hope he gets open.

Move him.

Create matchups.

Use motion.

Force defenders to communicate.

Find ways to get him touches without requiring Mestemaker to make a difficult throw every time.

Sometimes the best offense isn't complicated.

Get your most dangerous players the football with room to operate.

Then get out of the way.

There's another part of Morris' comments that shouldn't be overlooked.

He mentioned the names surrounding Oklahoma State's running back and receiver rooms.

That's intentional.

This program has produced plenty of elite offensive talent.

Justin Blackmon.

Dez Bryant.

James Washington.

Tylan Wallace.

And many more.

Young and Coleman don't need to become any of them.

They need to add their own names to that tradition.

But understanding the standard matters.

Comparing any young receiver to Michael Crabtree is dangerous.

That's why Morris didn't really do that.

He compared the journey.

High school quarterback.

New to wide receiver.

Increasingly comfortable as he gains experience.

And if Young continues developing the way Morris believes he is, Oklahoma State could have something special.

Especially if Coleman's impressive start continues.

One player can create problems.

Two very different receivers can create headaches.

And in an Eric Morris offense built around creating space and exploiting matchups, that might be exactly what Oklahoma State needs.

Wyatt Young doesn't need to become the next Michael Crabtree.

He and Miles Coleman just need to become the first version of Oklahoma State's newest one-two punch.