Oklahoma State Football

There Have Been NFL-Style Defenses at Oklahoma State Before, so Welcome Home

When ever you start comparing and contrasting different styles of defense, there is always the chance you get in trouble. Coordinators and authors all like to be original.
By Robert Allen
July 12, 2025
6.5k Views
15 Comments
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Photo by Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

STILLWATER – One of the aspects of the massive course correction Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy has made that I haven’t been able to grasp is new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s defensive system. I kind of pride myself on knowing defenses. Personally, I’ve played in an “Okie 5-2” in high school, a stack 3-3 in high school, and a 4-3 in college.

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15 Comments
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Mike Gundy Todd Grantham Rob Ryan Iman Oates Cam Smith Football Oklahoma State
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There Have Been NFL-Style Defenses at Oklahoma State Before, so Welcome Home

6,265 Views | 15 Replies | Last: 4 mo ago by Robert Allen
Guitar54
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9:09a, 7/13/25
Good article
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TUSKAPOKE
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12:03p, 7/13/25
Thanks RA - I enjoyed the player comparisons and explanation.
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Gary Layton
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3:11p, 7/13/25
In the pros it is imperative that you have a very good defensive tackle and edge rusher to keep the pressure on the qb. I like what OSU has brought in for those two positions. It will give the defense this year a chance for the team to stay in the game. I like Malik Charles attitude and drive. He has a goal and it looks like he is positioning himself to get there. I already think of him as Mr. Charles!
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Mtsmith6
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4:10p, 7/13/25
Awesome Article!
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Tulsa Booster
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9:45p, 7/13/25
Good job, Robert. A lot of work goes into an article like this, particularly when you are still learning about the new players, yourself.
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Robert Allen
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9:54p, 7/13/25
Thanks! I just know I've been working to understand this defense. It is different than a lot of what we've seen lately, but I think it is going to be fun. I also like that the players are all working hard, studying away from the facility to get it down. If they do that, it will be a lot of fun to watch in games.
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Doug Gosney
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4:14p, 7/14/25
Nice article RA. So you're telling me there's a chance……
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Robert Allen
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4:21p, 7/14/25
There's a very good chance that Oklahoma State will be better defensively this season. Now how much? I'd say getting back into the upper half of Division I defenses, top 20, long shot.
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CowboyKip
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4:39p, 7/14/25
We can't be worse than last year.
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NorthDFWPoke
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9:41p, 7/14/25
What I read is better than the 85 bears.
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Doug Gosney
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In reply to Robert Allen • 8:13a, 7/15/25
Upper half would be great compared to last year. Hard to believe we are just a few seasons removed from being one of the best in the country. I know that's been light years ago by CFB standards and nearly everyone/ everything has changed.

I miss the days of being upset that we were "only" a top 20 team and not a top 10 team. Wow - what I wouldn't give for that now. Don't know what you've got until it's gone (hopefully not forever).
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Robert Allen
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2:21p, 7/16/25
You read wrong, few have ever been better than the 85 Bears. You need some reading glasses or quit taking the hallucinogens that you've been using.
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Robert Allen
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2:24p, 7/16/25
Doug, get used to it. College football is a year-to-year game now with the Revenue share and the portal. I predict it will simmer down some, but you have to always be working in the areas of evaluation, recruiting, and free agency of the transfer portal. We need contracts, like Mike Gundy suggested several years ago to allow for year-to-year stability.
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Doug Gosney
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In reply to Robert Allen • 3:10p, 7/16/25
Agreed RA. Thanks for insight in the article. As crazy as the Tech deal was , at least it was a contract. An unbelievable one , but a contract nonetheless I suppose.
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Robert Allen
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3:42p, 7/16/25
Lets see how that Felix Ojo thing works out.
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