Oklahoma State Cowboys 2024 Season Preview with Scott Wright | Expert Analysis & Predictions

we're talking Oklahoma State Cowboys football on the ourlads football YouTube channel thanks for joining us I'm Greg dep and joining me of course to talk Oklahoma State Cowboys football from the Oklahoma that's just oklahoma.com and that is Scott Wright how's it going Scott hey Greg I'm good man how are you good this is a great time of year right right we're all excited uh this is what we all spend our offseason gearing up towards we still have a few weeks go before the season begins Oklahoma State I'm telling you I didn't I didn't even realize this and and most fans that don't really follow uh FCS football probably have been maybe I don't think they have any idea just how tough their Oklahoma State's opening game is taking this is what this isn't this this is the back-to-back Champion FCS South Dakota uh program we're talking 29 straight wins they got a 29 game winning streak they're bringing to Still Water here at the end of the month um you know back uh back five6 years ago when they put this game on the schedule it did not look like this uh this program was obviously really taken off I think I I went looked it up I think South Dakota state had like back-to-back eight win Seasons uh right before they put this game under contract so wow yeah it was not at all this uh this type of game but obviously they are a very confident program and GNA come to Stillwater ready to win win a football game yeah uh that's going to be great this is what the fans want to see and and you know what now at the playoff where you're not going to have to worry so much about one loss uh that might happen in September in the non-conference schedule uh there's still a chance matter of fact I I I I think there'll be maybe I wouldn't be surprised if there were a couple two loss teams that are in the playoff this year so yeah absolutely not sure you know again they probably get a hey if you're Alabama Georgia you can have two losses but if you're Oklahoma state two losses that may not do it but still uh at least we have a 12 team playoff we're all excited about that okay so matter of fact that the beginning of the schedule is really tough forget about just South Dakota State uh because SEC uh in week two against Arkansas and then uh in between Tulsa uh which is a regional deal and it's on the road I'm sure they're GNA be really up for that one in Tulsa uh Utah and Kansas State I me that's a very tough September schedule yeah it really is um you know and and that that non-conference schedule gets him a taste of of just about everything you get you get a really good team and program with South Dakota State then you get SEC athletes Arkansas you know I think they were picked like 14th uh in the SEC so they're they're not a you know a top tier SEC team but they're going to have sec athletes they're going to be physical they're going to be big and fast so that gives you a taste of that and and Tulsa you get to go on the road and and play an upand cominging program that um you know Kevin Wilson's in his second season up there and and got that program going in the right direction so uh but get you a taste of go on the the road before you before you have to go do it two weeks later at at Kansas State so but yeah and then jumping straight into the Big 12 with like you said Utah and then at Kansas State that's going to be two of the most important games on this schedule for Oklahoma State yeah those are probably two of the top teams in Big 12 so interesting enough I think after September the schedule actually compared to September the schedule's not bad yeah no it gets uh I mean it's hard to call it easy because I think this is going to be a really competitive league but uh but yeah I mean you go look at just about every prediction for the Big 12 in Utah and Kansas State are are top two or three um and and yeah then you you can kind of you know you get to uh ease off a little bit with some of the middle of the pack teams uh West Virginia not a not exactly a a pushover Garrett Green's been really good so um you know that's that's going to be another tough one coming back to to still water and um you know they've got uh Tri TCU late in the year that's a place they haven't played well lately and and you don't know what to expect from TCU is the team that was played in the title game two years ago so you don't know who knows yeah four are the last six on the road to end the season three out of four stretch uh from the BYU to the TCU Road game so yeah this is a tough schedule for and and but you know what if if it looks like it and it ends up a tough schedule then a two loss Oklahoma State team as long as they win the big 12 uh it's not going to really matter anyway because they'll end up in the playoffs so um but yeah how does it feel as for those Oklahoma State fans I know they were really happy to beat Oklahoma last year uh in that uh last I I mean I don't know how much longer it's going to take to hook up maybe a while um but that rivalry H you know win over Oklahoma was huge and now you take a look at the fact that Texas is also out so how are the fans feeling about that that not just because Oklahoma's a Ral but because they're a very good program and you're taking two very good programs out of the conference yeah it's it's exciting because it it you know broadens uh the um you know the places the fan base can go there's a trip back to Colorado which obviously was a big 12 team uh for a long time and a fun place to travel to OSU goes to BYU this year they've been to Arizona State but they have Arizona Utah um you know so that's exciting got different teams coming in but you look at the situation Oklahoma state is in uh you know they won two of the last three beds they went to the Big 12 title game two of the last three years in the conference with ou they feel like they've got the momentum going now that if they can continue this they can be one of the the face you know the flagship programs of the Big 12 so they feel like they're in a really good situation the fan base is very excited they uh they're they've sold out all their season tickets they're selling out uh games uh left and right right now and um you know and and it's uh it's a really exciting time for Cowboy fans yeah uh Mike Gundy all of a sudden he's like the dean of the Big 12 now yeah yeah exactly it's it's so weird because um you know he was he was getting to be that a little bit anyway you know just because he's been there so long yeah and people love to talk to him about about topics other than football because he's going to have really interesting and and maybe crazy takes on stuff uh but he he's always thoughtful in uh in in in what he offers even though he likes he likes to do this thing where he he he sort of pretends he's like I haven't really thought about it that much then he'll give you a five minute answer on all the thoughts that he has on that topic you just asked him about but uh but he is yeah uh you know I think technically Kyle Whittingham was hired like three weeks earlier than Mike Gundy so he's uh barely a little a little longer but he's new to the conference though so right exactly he's he's the newcomer in here so yeah um yeah yeah Mike Gundy is is definitely the established uh the established face of this league right now well that will be a nice little uh sidebar there though when they host Utah those two 20year head coaches very rare to see that nowadays in college football so to have them match up is pretty cool all right so let's talk about the team lots of returning starters you'll like to see that uh especially now in the day and age of transfers and uh of course you're going to lose some key guys after this season a couple of Staples uh I'm assuming Oliver and Gordon will be gone by the end of this year are they out of Eligibility no um Olie Gordon actually is is a true Junior he's just third year yeah he is uh literally still only 20 years old which is crazy but um but yeah I if he has another year like he had you assume that he's he's going to be gone U it's going to be hard for him to get his NFL stock any higher as a as a running back he kind of is what he is if he has another good year um Colin Oliver could come back for a super senior year if he wanted to I don't really expect that with him either I kind of think this is his his last Go Round And um you know he's a guy that I think is really going to show his NFL potential even more this year uh he's he you know he was really they had him really focused at defensive end the first two years then really focused at linebacker last year and now he's going to get to be kind of the the true hybrid and and do both and I think that's where his NFL future is because of uh you know he's not the biggest guy as far as being an NFL defensive end um but he does have the speed toh to be off the line be a standup guy those those types of things so I think that's probably um going to really help him this year in terms of developing developing him for the next year and and yeah you add on to that Alan Bowman is a seventh year senior so he's gone uh we got a lot of a lot of defensive players that that have come back this year as super seniors offensive linemen the whole offensive line is almost entirely super seniors um so a lot of guys that are going to be gone off of this team next year you know uh it's interesting because we had this conversation last year and I remember uh the team was coming off pretty much a 500 type season the year before uh and so there wasn't a whole lot of excitement coming into last year but after we spoke I remember going to myself hey maybe this isn't going to be such a bad season after all for the Cowboys so you gotta be really excited about that and it worked out they actually you know with the 10- win season and all that so that's why I love having these conversations because you just never know uh especially with the programs that are not considered whether or not you want to call them blue blood or you know just the major programs that everybody always talks about uh this is uh sometimes it's it's good to be a net roll though because you're kind of under the radar nobody talks about you and that's the way maybe it works out and I'm sure Oklahoma State and their fans are used to that uh let's go ahead and pop up the arad's depth chart uh this is what we have and I'm sure this is changing it's very hard to follow depth charts in college football that's for sure so we do our best here preseason yeah exactly you guys great yes yes um the one I want to start off with though is that linebacker core here wow uh because Oliver again whether or want to call him a true linebacker not whatever he is I mean that's what he's penciled in out like you said he's gonna play some some there so you've got three guys Oliver Daniels and Martin I mean these are all Pro Prospects I mean this is this has got to be the the one of the best linebacker cores that the Cowboys have had in a while yeah as far as as far as the entire group it really is um you know they had they had a couple years ago they were when they were in a 4-25 only had two linebackers they had Malcolm Rodriguez and and Devin Harper who both went and spent some time in the NFL but um but you know these are these are Big Time guys they those th those two were kind of Fringe NFL prospects and uh and I think when you put this uh this group of guys together you're going to see guys playing in the league for a while um you know the the move of kindall Daniels um you know from from safety to linebacker it's it's sort of a it's he's like like Colin Oliver it's sort of a hybrid situation he's still going to line up a safety some and and then kind of uh kind of creep down toward the Box a little bit so um but the dude is 64 235 and and I mean he looks like a linebacker he needs to be playing linebackers so they're figuring out ways to get him there um but yeah Nick Martin was was kind of the big surprise of last year's team nobody really saw that coming and and then he just kind of exploded onto the scene and and really looks the part he's he's not you know he's he's he's only 6 feet tall and that's one of the reasons that that people doubt him a little bit but he's incredibly productive and Incredibly fast um his speed is what's going to keep him playing uh this game Beyond uh Beyond college so you look at that linebacker group and that is definitely the strength and and if you're an opponent the scariest part of this defense yeah uh because you mentioned the size there uh because here's a guy Nick Martin who isn't a trans you know isn't a moov moving from safety yet he's more sizewise yeah I mean in the NFL he'll be a safety so but you like you said it led the team with 140 tackles last year coming from nowhere as you said just broke out 16 tackles for loss also LED and tied with Oliver and Sachs with six that's a monster season for a kid that's only I believe 6 fo 215 yeah exactly and I I think he's bulked up since uh since then I think they they they need to update weight on him because I I I interviewed him just the other day and and he looks thick so um I would be surprised if if 215 is still accurate um but yeah he is like like I said his speed um you know he's got he's got the the size to not be not be overwhelmed in the Box um muscle wise um you know even though like like you said the the height is something that makes people doubt him a little bit but um you know he can hold his own yeah exactly and and he goes and makes plays he can chase people down and is really really solid in terms of uh you know understanding schemes and anticipating plays and um you know a lot of uh a lot of his his sacks they weren't just like all out blitzes they were they were well timed and um you know plays where he had to make the right decision to get in there and and get the sack so yeah big time player that they're really excited about to see what the next level is for him yeah you think Oliver is going to end up uh especially at the next level NFL teams they see a kid like Oliver and I'm assuming chances are they're gonna say well I know he can do a little bit of this and a little bit of that but the guy can Rush the pass right we're gonna make sure that's what he's gonna do at the next level yes exactly that's H you know that's what Oklahoma State realized as they got about halfway into last season when they had moved him you know they went from the the 425 to the 335 and they thought he was a perfect fit as an outside linebacker and he's and he's a really good outside linebacker but he's their best pass rusher and it's not even close he has to be rushing the passer as much as possible and so that's why they've they've sort of molded this defense a little bit to fit his skill set and uh and and get him up on the line coming off the edge a little more frequently that's a a huge hugely important piece of the changes they're making with this defense toh just to fit the talent a little bit better and make them a little bit more impactful pass rush was a uh a real sore subject for them last year and and they've got to get that better and they know that he's the guy that can do it yeah talk about that secondary what's because the linebacking crew obviously is the uh the headliner of the defense as far as the secondary a couple of guys that uh um I don't know maybe stand out to me I mean uh I mean this EPS kid I don't know if he's going to start or not not or I'm what a situation is going to be but very productive for a freshman so was he a red shirt freshman last year when he when he started to make an impact exactly yeah so so lri RS got hurt last year towards ACL EPS comes in and and nobody really knew what to expect from a rir freshman and um you know he started making plays right away you know he had some inconsistencies like you would expect from a freshman but uh but he he really settled in and uh and started producing right away and that was very important now the the trick is that uh uh you know they've got they've got lric rolls back as well and so it's going to be a battle not just for that job but they're looking at those those two guys at at a couple different spots to try to figure out what their best three safeties are going to be because like I said they're going to they're going to be moving Kendall Daniels around some they need to do something with that spot as well Trey Rucker is probably the one guy in that in that safety group that is locked in yeah you know he's a uh he's a guy that's very physical and uh and has good speed and uh good anticipation got burned a couple of times last year and I I think that he's uh kind of learned um you know some of the uh the intricacies of this defense they're going to help him this year so uh you look at that group and and then Kobe Hilton uh the transfer from UTEP has has come in and and is really pushing as well going to try to get himself some snaps so even though they've got a lot of familiar faces and guys that have started games in that in that safety group there it's really maybe one of the most interesting position battles going on on this uh this preseason because they've got so many guys trying to fight in there you know they they feel really pretty comfortable with what they've got at corner Cory black returning for his super senior year was was really important they there was lot of of a lot of people thought he might uh either jump to the NFL or go to into the portal so um to to have him stick around he's their most consistent corner and then uh on the other side cam Smith and kale Smith are probably going to rotate some but cam has has been a guy that's U you know been a a major player the last two years kale Smith really stepped up last year and they like what both of those guys can do over there and and and Kenneth Harris is another guy you know came in last year as a transfer red shirted and and has has really found his footing as a as a corner and ready to to contribute as well so they like they like the depth and the talent that they've got in the secondary yeah don't mind me I'm just making sure that I I'm following everything you're saying here and jotting down my notes uh yeah because there's a lot to take in and I love it uh who has the biggest upside in the secondary because you said black is the most consistent Corner does he have the most upside uh yeah I think so I think you you go look at at the numbers and people really tried to avoid throwing to his side of the field last year um they tried to pick on the guys on the other side especially last year when they were a little bit younger and less experienced we'll see how it goes this year now that those guys are a little more seasoned uh but he has the ability he's got the size I think to to draw some uh some NFL looks and get a shot at being drafted uh you know fourth fifth sixth seventh round somewhere in there next year so um yeah he's he's a guy that I that I really like back there and um Cameron EPS uh to come back around to him is a guy that if he can if he can put all the pieces together I think really has a shot at maybe being the the most consistent guy in this group a real playmaker who I think can um can can hold things together in that secondary okay and then safety Rucker is he the guy that is a little bit yeah he he needs to uh uh you know keep things in front of him he had a couple of times where he let guys get behind him and as a free safet he used can't let that happen but um but if he can if he can correct those mistakes his his physicality and uh and combined with just his knowledge I I think has he's got a chance to really stand out in that group all right now let's move on to uh the defensive front so right there uh there's one guy here uh isigo Obi isigo so is that that that's the transfer uh the division two transfer exactly and in talking to to people that have uh have been working out with him since since January the guy's first step is is really going to be pretty incredible so uh that's going to be where he really comes in and makes an impact um you know I think they they've got some other guys that they can mix in to go with a little bit bigger package there um ziggo is is about a 250 pound guy you know not a not a huge defensive end but they can move Xavier Ross in there and and he's a a guy that you know can play inside and outside do some different things with so um but uh but is ziggo's step off the ball is really going to be impactful at the Big 12 even though you know he's coming from from D2 and and expectations probably aren't uh aren't great for him but they really feel like he's going to to be able to make that jump and and you know uh obviously Brian Nardo came from Ganon and and coached Obie for a year uh before he came to OSU um but this guy this guy had other offers this wasn't just a situation where where Brian Nardo went back and got a guy that had played for him this guy had um you know Baylor and uh and and some uh some D1 programs in Florida and some other schools that were looking at him so he's a guy that is going to be able to to to I think survive uh at the power five level power four level I guess now so uh yeah but um you know a lot of other way he have one more year of Eligibility this is it this is it for him he is a a super senior this year so okay um but yeah so they they like they like what he can do they like the versatility of this line um you know there's times they can they can run Colin clay and Justin Kirkland both out there and and make it a little bit bigger line uh they really like what both of those guys can do uh Walter shy is a uh is another super senior sixthe guy uh who has uh has really grown uh in and com into his own the last couple of years they thought he might be done with football after last season he decided to to stick around for one more year um it's funny because his uh he had an older brother and they they never played together but they butted up to each other so older brother graduated he came in as a freshman the next year so this going to be 11 straight years with with with a Walter Shide on the on the team so pretty crazy with a fifth year senior and now a six year senior to follow him so it's a long time it is and then a couple of young guys on here that are that are really standing out early in Camp Deshawn Brown and Jalil Johnson uh both Johnson is uh um you know about 265 Brown's a little bit bigger probably in in the 280 range and uh you know so they can they both they both have different skill sets and and can blend in and do some different things so and uh and Aiden Kelly is another one that they feel like is going to help um in kind of in the middle and uh another guy that that really isn't getting a lot of Pub right now is a guy named Iman oats who was a junior college transfer last year and got injured had the red shirt uh but they've been really excited about what they've seen from him so far in Camp okay and okay that's the JC guy okay got it all right and Johnson um well I out of all let's let's talk about those uh those younger kids uh which one do you think is the one to to watch who do you think is going to be the like the next wave comes who's gonna be leading this group uh maybe as really as next year you know honestly I think I think you look at at Johnson and brown and you know right now they're they're at the same spot but I think uh I I think down the line you can see them as as the bookends of a of a really good defensive line at at Oklahoma State because they're really excited about what they what they can do like I said they've got different skill sets so they can um you know bring one from one side one from the other and and you can have pretty impactful players there so I I think they really like what they've got in those two guys yeah this walery kid man he's 67 is he really 67 he is he's legit 67 and up to about 285 now he was he was only like two 230 or so when he came out of high school he's really bulked up so um yeah just a really solid guy that uh you know not not really flashy but just gets the job done all right let's uh move on over to the offensive side of of the bow and of course so start starting with Bowman so yeah this is crazy because um as a Michigan fan I remember seeing Bowman on the sidelines for a couple of years basically just holding a clipboard and it was like well what is what is he doing here why doesn't he go somewhere else where he could play he's like the third guy but hey you know what sometimes it's about schooling sometimes it's about yeah you know what I just want to go somewhere where I could be part of the winning uh and uh he can keep his eligibility and all that kind of stuff and that that's what he did he kept a couple more years it's amazing I don't think uh I I don't know I can't imagine we've ever seen an eight-year player so he's got to be the most well he's got to be a correct me if I'm wrong I mean maybe you've done the homework is there any has there ever been maybe even if we just stick with quarterbacks has there ever been a quarterback in college football that is in their seventh year uh I don't know if there were any last year there there's a couple of those this year Cam and rising out at Utah in fact is okay he he got an injury year and so he's back for a seventh year so um so I actually wrote about both of those guys at Big 12 media days but there's another matchup there's another storyline for the Utah M for the Utah game there you go exactly seven year quarterbacks 20 year head coaches I like yeah yeah but but yeah so Bowman is you know um you know he had a lot of injuries early in his career at Texas Tech um didn't uh didn't ever make it through a full season and and that enabled him to get the uh the the ACT Year back this year and um and come back and it's really exciting I know I know uh you know some Oklahoma State fans would like to see um you know some of the young guys that that they feel like have a different kind of talent different kind of arm those sorts of things but um with the talent that we'll get to uh when we talk about this offense they they need a guy that can just be solid and reliable and get the ball to the right places and um you know Bowman had 14 picks last year uh that's a number that was a little bit high if he can if he can just get that number down I mean this guy once once they finally put him in position as the uh as the only quarterback you know they did the uh the the three quarterback rotation the first three games of last year which was okay turned out to be a disaster but um from the fourth game on uh once once Bowen was the guy he averaged over 290 passing yards a game and you pair that with olly Gordon at running back and and you've got a really balanced and solid offense yes so it's a he did throw more interceptions than he'd like so that's pretty much the deal because if you're going to throw 15 touchdown passes whatever he threw you better only throw like three or four interceptions at the most 30 touchdowns all right we'll live with 14 whatever it was but yeah so do you think that's that's more what you'll see this year is that we're okay with the 15 but you got to lower that interception number big time or are they going to be a little bit more acceptable or just understanding that yeah I mean this is explosive offense so if you're out there from day one as opposed to like you were saying everybody was trying to you know in and out of the lineup and all that stuff if you starts week one all the way through the end of the season then hopefully uh you'll see more like 25 or 30 touchdown passes you know the the touchdown passes aren't that concerning as long as the offense is scoring the thing was Oly Gordon stole a lot of touchdowns last year true he rushed for 20 so um you know that was a big part of Bowman's 15 touchdown total that they're not worried about as long as the offense is scor you know if they're getting down there and settling for field goals in the Red Zone then it becomes an issue but they can live with the 15 touchdowns you know the picks need to cut that in half at least um like you said that needs to be a a lower number and and the interesting thing is is you go look at at Bowman stats and obviously he was in you know a different offense at at Texas Tech and and didn't throw the ball a ton at at at Michigan but um his interception numbers were much lower in terms of uh the frequency you know when you compare it to the ratio of passes through so uh if he can get back to his early career Trends you're going to see that interception number go down and I think he'll be in good shape who is there is there a definite number two quarterback no right now that's uh that's a really important battle and it might be one of those situations where Mike gunny really never names a number two and just decides who he's going to play when the time comes um you know it's it's one of those things that's that's difficult you you want to make sure you got everybody around next next spring when you've got a quarterback competition for an open job uh you don't want people getting discouraged so I think he's going to he's going to try to get both of those guys in some games uh they being Garrett Rangel and Zay Flores um you know red shirt sophomore red shirt freshman that the both are uh have some excitement around them in terms of what they've done uh Rangel has has played a few games he's played I think about seven games in his career now uh played you know played in four as a as a freshman while red shirting and then was part of the the the quarterback rotation last year so he's got an experience Edge where Flores has has maybe the the size and natural Talent Edge U you know 64 205 big arm and uh and and seems to really be uh finding his footing as a as a college quarterback at least you know on the practice field so we'll see what uh what exactly his future holds but they're very excited about both of those guys and what the future holds for them and Smith was he actually the the program's top recruit overall last year he was he was the the the best recruit in the in the class last year um you know came in in January which was admirable because he knew he was going to be fourth string behind all of these guys and uh and but still wanted to show up early and get and get to work so um you know he's going to be a guy that that can can kind of pace himself rather than being forced into into some early action he can he can learn at his own speed um you know get used to the speed of the game all those sorts of things the same things that helped zaye Flores last year because you know last year they had Gunner Gundy in Camp and and he was you know in that top three so Flores was able to to kind of relax and learn at his own pace so um Smith will be able to do that this year and and be ready to go and and if you've got rangale Flores and and Smith ready to go for a quarterback competition in the spring it's going to be a fun one uh is there an obvious as far as the fans uh that is someone that they are gravitating more toward because of maybe how they played in high school what their rankings were that kind of thing yeah Zayn Flores is that guy he's the one that that lots of people are are really excited about I mean like I said there's even a a faction of fans who would like to see him playing now but you know it's uh that's that's kind of the nature of the Beast the the backup quarterback's always the most popular guy so um but yeah he's the guy that that has um has the measurables has uh you know has the high school stats all those things that they get people really excited all right so what I get we get this news and I don't know when this was I think this was last month uh about Gordon being arrested for drunk driving and you know it's like you think about this first of all and you're like you know not that many kids get caught for drunk driving if you if you take a look at the totality of how many players there are it happens but it doesn't happen a lot and it's like I'm sure as a fan you're probably going I mean really I mean of all players to get caught for drunk D you the pretty much the face of the program right now on the football field come on olly what are you doing so uh but just just a wakeup call I I and again that's all you're hoping it is it's just a wakeup call he's a good kid I think we've all could have been in this situation I mean I don't know how many of us back in our day stupid enough to get into a car when we shouldn't have we've all been there he got caught so is that pretty much the deal is that he's a good kid he'll be okay that really seems to be the case um you know based on um you know our interactions with olly and the people that know him and um the way that Mike Gundy has handled this U you know it has it really feels like this was one of those moments yes it's going to be a wake up call for olly um but uh you know he's he's not a guy that is a uh a problem in the locker room or or on campus um you know you go back and look at at all the interviews he did at Big 12 media days when he didn't have to show up uh but he stepped out there faced the music answered the questions and and you know those those conference media Day events are are a you know six seven hour thing and he was answering the same questions for seven hours and by the end of the day he was still um you know showing the humility and and the uh the awareness that he needed to be showing he wasn't getting annoyed by answering the same question over and over again he handled it all the exact right way so um you feel like it like the um like the the the warning hit home for him that this was a mistake that he's got to avoid in the future and um he's handling it the right way and is that is he gonna miss any games no he will not miss uh he will not miss any games which uh you know um nationally some people kind of B at that but actually this is not the first time that Mike Gund has handled one of these situations this way he's had a couple other players with DUIs over the last uh you know five or six years and and it's been the same thing there's been no suspension involved and um you know so that's been that's it's becoming the norm for how Gundy handles these situations he appears to me and I'm not one of the scouts at our Lads so let's just put it out there I'm just an analyst not a scout but he appears to me to have it all I mean he's got size he can catch he's going to be in the he's going to be at every down kid uh sort of like another big 12 guy on my team the Jets Breeze Hall a guy that's gonna probably just come into the league and he's just gonna be able to do everything for you w and I know you you've you know you you're zeroing in yourself on covering one program but you've seen a lot of football you've seen a lot of running backs would you agree with that do you think and again I'm not telling you to be an expert in the draft but just knowing because Bree wasn't even a first round draft pick or I think he was early second I believe with the Jets so um do you look at him though as a first- round draft pick is he maybe even a top 10 pick is he that good you know if he has another year like he had last year and and um you know shows that he has polished even more uh you know parts of his game because like you said he really he he showed last year that he can do it all he did he C he caught the ball well he passed block uh you know he understands games all those sorts of things so uh so yes he does he absolutely has it all um you know I don't know I don't know what the what the real difference is between uh you know an early second rounder and and a and a first rounder and maybe it just comes down to uh you know some needs um but I I definitely think that he's um you know definitely um you know middle of the second round or better um you know and it all all comes down to what he does this year in terms of of the little details so I think I think that he's a guy that um like a a Bree Hall is going to go and and and be able to be an impact guy from day one at the NFL level and and and play every down I guess his speed and all that what does he time that's definitely got a lot to do with it um it might might actually be the last thing uh but you never know the NFL uh the way that they're drafting running backs nowadays uh just shows you for a talent like Bree Hall to go in the second round you just don't value the position very much it's very rare to get a guy you know like um Robinson from Texas a couple years ago you know they just don't get drafted very often in the top 10 unless they're just wow those types of guys but I think Gordon could be so we'll see we'll see if he can win back-to-back doke Walker Awards that'll definitely be something that uh could open up even more eyes at the next level like you said to have another final good season even though it's only been uh how long actually how long this is uh this is again like you said this is his third year correct so uh chances are though he has a really strong year he's gonna be entering the NFL okay so uh if he does enter the NFL who's next in line did they have that guy on the roster right now uh you know they've got an interesting situation because they they've got a couple of of older transfers who who they brought in this year um which was kind of surprising because um you know you're you know you're coming in to be the backup it wasn't like they had a a starting job to sell to guys as transfers this year but they brought in Trent Howland uh big another big guy 63 240 came in from Indiana uh who they they really like um they brought in AJ Green from Arkansas and and he suffered an injury back in in Spring probably won't play at all this year but he does have a red year available so he can come back and uh and and contend for the starting job next year he's a a little bit different he's uh you know 510 210 type of guy that but he can do a little bit of everything as well so um another guy that they really like there for next year um and then cesie vahi uh was a guy that was you know he was a late addition to uh the recruiting class um a year ago but came in in the 23 class and and and came in and by the end of the year he was the he was the number two guy now it was mostly because of injuries but he held his own and and showed that he's capable of being that guy so um you know he's a guy that's uh a little bit smaller a 5 Nish type of guy but um you know has good speed can get into space and and do some things and has really improved his speed a lot since he's been at Oklahoma State so uh they they like what he's got and then the uh the true freshman class is uh has been really exciting so far in Camp they brought in two guys Rodney Fields Jr an Oklahoma City boy who has uh has really shown up early in Camp and then uh Jaden Allen Hendricks another big guy 62230 who who they're pretty excited about and and trying to get him uh you know ready to be a a depth guy this year and and then contend next year as well so they've got some they've got some numbers to work with going forward next year you know there's as of right now it doesn't look like there's another OE Gordon in the mix but definitely some talent to work with Okay uh then you take a look at the receivers so um this seems to be uh again a pretty good strong unit I'm not so sure there's a superstar there but it just looks like they have some really solid Talent all across the board as their top three yeah absolutely you know the the biggest thing in this preseason camp is is developing some depth behind them if they get dealt some injuries they get into some inexperience pretty quickly but that front three they're really excited about Brennan Presley has has just been really solid his entire career um you know became a a real focal point u in terms of trying to open up the offense last year um you know to whenever whenever teams were trying to take oi away he was a guy that they went to a lot had a couple of games with over 15 catches last year so um so he's really really important in the slot uh dejon stribbling out of the whole group might have the uh the best NFL future he's got the body got the speed got the hands um we'll see if he can can put it all together he was a guy they were really excited about last year transferred in from uh Washington State and and then broke his wrist four games into the season so they're glad to have him back and then because of because of his injury Rashad Owens was a guy that got a shot in the starting lineup and is a a big bodied outside receiver um you know I think he's 62 about 230 right now so um a guy that uh that can be physical and go make some plays on the outside uh but he really excelled down the stretch last year was the MVP of the bowl game uh those sorts of things so a guy that they're really excited about in terms of what he can do as well so uh but but yeah they've got to keep those guys healthy and and develop some some depth behind them so is there a guy uh that you feel like they feel the most comfortable with like if there is an injury yeah this guy seems to be the leader that probably takes those snaps yeah Talon cetron is the guy who has uh you know he's a guy that's that's played in some games he got in as a as a true freshman played some last year just had injuries that that sort of derailed him in both seasons so if he can stay on the field he's a guy that was a big-time recruit a four-star guy coming out of Edmund Santa Fe High School a couple years ago so they really like what they've got in him and feel like he's the type of guy that could could be a Frontline guy just got to stay healthy and and and push his way in there and uh you know on the inside they brought in a couple of of slot receivers uh from the transfer portal uh Gavin Freeman from from OU um which was uh you know a really important addition really good speed um you know guy that can can do a lot of stuff like return punts things like that if they they give him a chance back there and then uh another guy named Deon Lofton came in from Virginia Tech um he's just uh he's a senior uh played in inside and outside at Virginia Tech but looks more like an inside receiver at Oklahoma State so uh a guy that can help out there and um and then they have uh you know you get into the uh the group of of last year's true freshman who because of some injuries did get forced into into you know being number two on the depth chart at a couple of different positions tyy Andrews um Cameron herd Jaylen Pope some guys like that that uh that have come in uh and and then there's always kale cabanis who is uh just a a veteran he was a walk-on out of Norman North High School and has just hung around and and really been an important program guy he's had some big catches in his career there was a game at Boise State back in 2020 where they had a bunch of guys hurt and they end up throwing to him on a third and long and he makes this great diving catch that seals the game and um you know he's a really important piece of this program and and can play any receiver position that they need him to so he'll be a guy that can that can step in there and do some stuff and they have a a very intriguing Junior College walk-on um who I I don't even know how they found this guy he came from Snow College out in Utah his name is IO shotto King 64 215 and uh and all the reviews so far have been really good he just arrived in June and uh and they've been really excited about what he's shown so far he could be a guy that could step in maybe on that on that second second line or uh uh or at least provide some some depth further down the line so how do how would you how do you pronounce his name uh how do you spell his name his first name is IO a Yo and last name is shamid s h t o m d hyen King wow and what's his background again his nationality uh I I don't know his actual nationality I've only learned a little bit about him um but like I said he now he's originally from California uh as far as high school and then um yeah went to played uh two years at Snow College registered one year um so he comes in as a as a red shirt sophomore but definitely has the body we'll see if he can if he has the other intangibles and and and tools that he needs to really compete here and he's just a walk- on yeah he is okay yeah what is this getting rid of the walk-on rule what is this yeah that's that's that's a that's a scary thing uh particularly and I know it's that way around the the country a lot of programs that really take advantage of this but um you know I look at uh a guy like kale cavanis who we just talked about who who came in made plays he's on scholarship now um you know if if you're having to if you're having to even with the bigger scholarship numbers if they go up to 115 or whatever it is instead of 85 still those last 20 you're going to want to go get as many three star guys as you can you're not going to necessarily be willing to take a chance on the local kid who is just a hard worker and may or may not p out like you need all your you need your 115 to all pan out uh or you're you're going to be going after guys that you think can pan out not just bringing in guys to just uh to just help you on Scout team and and maybe they they turn into something those guys are the ones that are really going to lose out on this if uh if the uh if the welome programs go away yeah it's uh and I guess it's all part of the future of college football but yeah it's going to be something that hopefully they'll figure a way around it okay uh now let's by the way tight ends so uh Foster is he number one I see he's he the transfer from Ohio yes he is and and yes I definitely think that he's gonna g to step right in he's a guy that that you know they they they run a lot of similar principles at Ohio as compared to to Oklahoma State so it was easy for him to to pick up the offense he fits in he's a big guy at at at 66 250ish and um you you know can block can catch um can do whatever they need out of that spot so yeah I think he's going to be the uh the guy that really slides in there and uh you know that's essentially that's the only open starting job in this offense I mean fullback technically is uh is a new starter but Jake Schulz has been around a while so um uh but yeah basically every other starting job is is a returner so that's uh that's one place where it'll be kind of a wait and see but but they really like what Foster has done and um you know and then they've got a couple of guys behind him that just guys that have been in the program and and understand the offense in in Quinton Stewart and and tabri chatron um and then and then there's been a lot of excitement about a true freshman now it's it's going to be tough for a true freshman to get on the field at tight end but Josh Ford a kid from right there in Stillwater who they really like has uh has jumped in and been very physical U that's the thing that that really jumped out uh he arrived in in Spring and they immediately took note of how physic a tight end he was and uh and that's the thing that's going to allow a freshman to be able to play in the trenches like that when you can handle the uh the physicality that comes up there all right now what's I mean I'm looking at this uh because you already mentioned it I mean look senior senior senior senior senior senior senior senior senior and the only two that are juniors are the probably the two best players on the team yeah Gordon and stribling on on the offense I should say right so I mean that's all five starters back as well as as all the seniors uh for the Cowboys has to be I can't imagine there a starting offensive line in college football that's more experience than this no no there there can't be I mean you look at at at the second line of guys you got uh Jason Brooks who you know played at Vandy transferred in has has played both uh the last two years T his ACL uh you know somewhat late in the season so we'll see how quickly he's able to uh uh to get back from that but they they feel like he's coming along just fine Taylor matko has been a starter on this team and and you know he's a backup now they brought in E glass from Arizona State he he's started double digit games at Arizona State and is going to be a you know a number two guy on this team they they and then they've got young guys that they're excited about behind you know in that group but they've got eight guys who have started a lot of football games at the at the power conference level so really excited about the the talent and the depth I mean this is the same offensive line that that helped Oly Gordon run for 1700 yards and um you know they they were really good against uh you know against pass rush so they're really a lot of Promise in what they can do up there and um you know um I think I think camp for them is a lot of just fine-tuning and um you know getting guys some work at at a second spot in case you know there's an injury and they need to shuffle some things those type of things that they are is what they're really able to focus on in this in this preseason because they these guys know the offense they know their jobs and who would be the uh the potential Pro Prospects in your mind to keep an eye on would it be Mitchell liski and Cooper yeah that's the that's the two that that I would look at mahalski at Center does not molski yes it's a it's a very very uniquely pronounced name there's there's a a c in there that is silent but um but yeah uh he's uh you know he's not a massive guy but uh really good Center uh really good leader and you know understands the the things you have to do to be to be a center and he's very physical he can he's taken on you know some of the big uh defensive tackles that you see across the Big 12 over the last few years uh and he's been able to hold his own in there and do just fine and then and then Dalton Cooper uh you know is a guy that has the has the size 6667 and um you know long wingspan and and moves really well very agile so I definitely think that he get some looks um the rest of those guys are are guys that you know might get a shot in a camp somewhere but uh when you're talking about guys that are that are going to be potentially draftable that those are the two that really stand out to me okay so uh give me a break through player uh we might have already talked about him but not you know somebody that uh is not a household name right now offensively and defensively that could break through in 2024 uh similarly I guess uh to what we saw from uh uh the the what was it the linebacker last year Nick Martin last year right yeah yes um so I'll start on offense U you know dejon stribling is not a guy that gets talked about a lot but like I said I think he's got the most uh the most Pro potential uh brenon Presley is probably the most gifted receiver that they've got but at at 58 175 it's going to be tough for him to get a real serious look unless he goes and and lays down Xavier worthy type numbers at the combine in the 40 or something um and I think he's fast I don't know that he's that fast we'll see um but stribling is a guy that I think uh at the end of the year people are going to be looking at very differently than they than they are right now so uh that's the guy that I would point to on offense and uh and jumping over to the defensive side now Kendall Daniels has been has been a really good player but I think this move that they're making to get him a little bit more involved as a linebacker type of guy is is is going to Skyrocket his potential in the future because of the way you know listen I was I was at a basketball game his senior year of high school and I mean he was he was 175 180 and he's 6'4 he looks skinny and I'm like I just I don't know what's gonna happen with this guy now 240 and I mean he looks like an NFL linebacker so I think that's a guy that is that is really going to emerge and I'll go and throw Cameron EPS in there too because because Daniels is a little bit of an easy pick because he has been a really good player EPS I think is a guy that uh that steps into starting lineup um on in a more significant role this year and really uh you know puts the inconsistencies of his freshman year behind him and and becomes a a really solid player who can make some big game impacting plays all right by the way how's the Special Teams looking uh really solid uh most guys are are back from from last year uh the only uh the only change uh actually this is one change that I uh I didn't think to mention to you before we before we started here Sam babush has actually left the team he he he got a a really good job offer he's he was a grad transfer uh but decided that uh that that the the workforce was was ready for him so he has actually left the program Logan Ward uh is the uh the main guy at at Place kicking and kickoffs now um he's a guy that's been around and and done a lot for this program he was the uh two years ago Tom Hutton tour his ACL uh as as punter Ward steps in average 45 yards a punt the rest of the season uh he's been the kick off specialist um and then uh and was used uh occasionally as Place kicker last year uh when when Alex hail had a little had some hiccups going on with his with his stroke they also brought in a new guy uh Drake tabber who was a very late edition uh literally showed up uh I think the day that that players reported for preseason camp so uh we'll see if he can contend but I think Ward will end up being the guy there other than that everybody is back and uh you know Brena Presley obviously in the return game very dangerous guys made made a lot of big plays in that over his career yeah so that's going to be something to keep an eye on with uh anytime you have a new full-time kicker uh you never know but he's got a little of experience so uh that definitely should come into play okay uh is there is there something uh that you think is going to be uh key for Oklahoma State to improve upon if they're G to take the next step whether it's offensively or defensively what what what are they missing from last year with all this experience what's what's going to be the the the you know what's going to be in their way uh from potentially reaching some really big goals including of course winning the conference title I think the number one thing for this uh for this team is improving the pass rush uh you know that had become a really strong point of this team you go back and look at their numbers from 2021 even 2022 when the the team wasn't quite as solid um but that was a really important part of what this team was able to do and you go back and look at what they did last year and and it was a pretty significant drop off that you didn't kind of realize at the time how impactful it was if they can if they can get back going in a positive direction on pass rush uh you know a lot of the big plays that they ended up allowing last year in the passing game were plays where a quarterback was allowed to scramble and and you know you're forcing your DBS to be in coverage for five six seven seconds and and you get into trouble then at that point so um you know they can minim those types of plays I think it will help the it'll help the secondary I think that that the the um scheme changes that they're making are going to help the run defense so uh I think really it all comes down to improving the pass rush uh as the as the most important thing that can help take this defense to the next level all right and uh we'll see uh also how's this D2 kid does because that's going to be a major part of that if you're going to be able to figure that out we talked about the schedule uh and oh by the way did they lose anybody to transfers we talked about the transfers that have come in is there anybody they lost that's like oh wow that that was that's a big loss you know nothing hugely significant um you know they had most of their starters DJ mckenny was a guy that they really liked at corner uh he's going to Colorado now um but that was uh that was about the most impactful one that they they really lost a lot of guys were really excited about what this program had coming back and and wanted to stick around all right Scott awesome job as always I appreciate it uh I feel even better about Oklahoma State this year that's for sure with all this experience coming back so I don't know if they're GNA sneak up on anybody though but they might I mean I don't know who's picking them I mean is anybody you've seen the magazines or some of the big uh uh analysts have anybody picked Oklahoma State to win the Big 12 uh there's been a couple um a lot of them have them in that like 2 three 4 range you know right up there contending with Utah Kansas State Kansas Arizona a couple others getting a lot of a lot of respect and and deservedly so so yeah I think I think that's that group of five right there is going to be really fun to watch I think that is going to be a make for a very interesting battle in the Big 12 yeah I'm really uh on this Kansas Arizona thing I I love it when you see schools like that that have struggled for a while especially Kansas uh what a great story that is Daniels hopefully he's healthy uh that's uh that was real tough to watch him because they think who knows what they could have done last year if he was healthy yeah so I'm looking forward and of course Arizona I know fish is gone but if they can keep these things going they've got some really cool players that he recruited that are still there they didn't all leave so uh yeah you're right I mean I I think Candace Arizona those are two teams I'm really looking forward to seeing uh play this year yep absolutely it's going to be a going to be fun fun year at the top of the Big 12 uh Scott uh do you have your own podcast that you do uh how can anybody check out what you do uh for Oklahoma State football yeah absolutely of course all of my my writing content is on oklahoma.com my podcast podcast is called the cowboy Chronicles which is available on uh on all the typical services so um I've actually I've I've lost my partner this year so I'm uh I'm I'm behind on uh on getting back in the in the podcast game I people don't want to just sit and listen to me talk for an hour by myself so uh trying to work that out so I've got some uh some guest hosts and things to to get the podcast back uh back on track so uh but it'll be it'll be back up very soon and that is uh both is that both streaming like on Apple and all that as well as on YouTube yes both yeah we have we have video we've got a a little uh uh Brewery in in still water that lets us come and and tape once a week so even better yeah exactly can't beat that no who needs a co-host when he got the exactly yeah thanks Scott I look forward to hopefully speaking to you uh especially if this is a real successful season speaking to you again during the season absolutely Greg anytime my man and don't forget to subscribe like and share here on ourlads and we'll see you next time with our next interview is actually going to be on Monday Tom kaker I'm gonna talk some Iowa Hawkeyes football on Monday afternoon here on the RADS football channel the RADS football network with