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
Story Poster
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.

To continue reading, you must be a Pokes Report Premium subscriber.
See Subscription Benefits →
15 Comments
Tags
Mike Gundy Todd Grantham Rob Ryan Iman Oates Cam Smith Football Oklahoma State
More Football
See All →
Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents Officially Approve Eric Morris' Contract
By Zachary Lancaster
Who to Watch in the American Championship that Might Follow Eric Morris to OSU
By Robert Allen
Wendell Gregory Tabbed Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year
By Zachary Lancaster
Eric Morris Salary and Contract Details Released
By Zachary Lancaster
Discussion from...

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

6,260 Views | 15 Replies | Last: 4 mo ago by Robert Allen
Guitar54
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:09a, 7/13/25
Good article
Reply Quote
TUSKAPOKE
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:03p, 7/13/25
Thanks RA - I enjoyed the player comparisons and explanation.
Reply Quote
Gary Layton
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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!
Reply Quote
Mtsmith6
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:10p, 7/13/25
Awesome Article!
Reply Quote
Tulsa Booster
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote
Robert Allen
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote Next Staff
Doug Gosney
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:14p, 7/14/25
Nice article RA. So you're telling me there's a chance……
Reply Quote
Robert Allen
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote Next Staff
CowboyKip
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:39p, 7/14/25
We can't be worse than last year.
Reply Quote
NorthDFWPoke
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:41p, 7/14/25
What I read is better than the 85 bears.
Reply Quote
1 edit
Doug Gosney
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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).
Reply Quote
1 edit
Robert Allen
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote Next Staff
Robert Allen
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote Next Staff
Doug Gosney
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
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.
Reply Quote
Robert Allen
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:42p, 7/16/25
Lets see how that Felix Ojo thing works out.
Reply Quote
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.