Despite struggles, Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II won’t opt out of 2024 season: ‘I finish what I start’

Amid Oklahoma State’s five-game losing streak, star running back Ollie Gordon II hasn’t once thought about walking away. The reigning Doak Walker Award winner was asked if has considered opting out for the rest of the year — a growing trend among players that are dissatisfied with their current situation. 

“I finish what I start,” Gordon told 247Sports. “My momma always told me that you finish what you start. Who would I be to give up on my team because our season is not going how we want it to go? So just because our season is not going how it’s supposed to I’m supposed to give up now? That’s really weird, and the way that people can just sit there and say that, it’s crazy. They’re wasting their breath saying it because I’m not giving up on my team.”

Oklahoma State was picked third in the preseason Big 12 Media Poll, receiving 14 first-place votes in the process, but the Cowboys now sit alone at the bottom of the standings as the only 0-5 team in conference play. At 3-5 overall, they’re in danger of missing out on a bowl game for the first time since 2005 — coach Mike Gundy’s inaugural season leading the program. 

Gordon led the nation in rushing a year ago. He currently sits ninth in the Big 12 with 568 yards on the ground, and his eight touchdowns rushing are tied for fourth. He’s also averaging just 4.2 yards per carry, which would be a career low if it holds. 

Gordon broke 100 yards in Oklahoma State’s season-opening win against South Dakota State and didn’t reach that mark again until Oct. 18 against BYU. It was his longest stretch without a 100-yard rushing game since he took over as Oklahoma State’s primary running back. 

The Cowboys running back suffered through his fair share of injury struggles, as well. He exited Oklahoma State’s loss against West Virginia with a hip injury and, at the time, ESPN 2 analyst Kirk Morrison suggested that Gordon should sit out the remainder of the year. 

“If I’m Ollie Gordon, I probably played my last play at Oklahoma State,” Morrison said.  

A lot of times, players opt out to preserve their redshirt eligibility with the intention to transfer once the year ends. Gordon, who has played in all eight games this season, has passed that threshold, though he is draft eligible as a third-year junior. If he were to return to college football next year, Gordon could also attract several lucrative NIL offers in the transfer portal.

Regardless, he made it clear that he’s in it for the long haul.