Spring Finale Format Dependent on Developing O-Line

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy got all the way to practice No. 10. That was the practice today, two-thirds of the way through spring practice. Gundy loves the way his team was able to practice last spring. They had all the COVID seniors that did not count against the 85-scholarship limit. There were close to 130 players in spring football and each day they went through long 11-vs.-11 team periods with three units on each side of the ball going through reps. It maximized players getting comfort with the schemes, maximized player development overall, and last season’s depth and results were a product of the way Gundy’s team practiced. This spring the Cowboys have been doing that as well, but Gundy knew he was on borrowed time.

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Mike Gundy next to offensive line coach Charlie Dickey.

“We don’t have as many offensive linemen,” Gundy said. “Injuries robbed us of some, the postseason surgeries, the transfer portal, and we’re stretching two offensive lines into three. It’s not fair to those guys, too many reps.”

The plans for a spring game were also looking like a victim of not enough offensive linemen.

"I really want to play a game. I just don’t know if we have the offensive line to do it,” Gundy said on Monday. “I don’t want to risk setting it up that way and then one person gets a turned ankle and we have to almost shut it down. That wouldn’t be fair to the fans. So, we’ll try to have it done by Wednesday, decide what to do as these practices move forward.”

The decision looks made now.

“We haven’t decided anything official, but I really don’t see how we could do it,” Gundy said. “We’ve got some guys injured and today we had to go to seven-on-seven every third rotation. “We’ll do some entertaining stuff, but I don’t think there is anyway we could have a game.”

On Monday Gundy kind of outlined a plan.

"We’re going to do 7-on-7. We’ll do some team run. We’ll do some individual. We’ll do a lot for the fans,” he said.

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Sanders was very sharp on Wednesday.

Practice today focused a lot on passing and quarterback Spencer Sanders had a good day with a few long completions for big gains including to Braydon Johnson and Brennan Presley. Then in red zone work Sanders was on fire with three straight scoring passes to Braydon Johnson, then Jaden Bray, and finally to Brennan Presley.

Freshman quarterback Garret Rangel got in the act with a long scoring pass to walk-on receiver C.J. Tate. Tate made a spectacular catch on a ball thrown where only he could get it in the corner of the end zone.

Defensively, the team period ended on a good note in two minute work as linebacker Jeff Roberson picked off a pass to end the period. It should also be noted that starting corners Jabbar Muhammad and Korie Black were stingy throughout the day from one-on-one work through the team period.Back to the offensive line and what needs to be done there. There are four players that are practicing but not going through full contact following postseason surgeries. Those include three-year starting right guard Hunter Woodard, Cowboy back returned to offensive lineman Silas Barr, veteran Joe Michalski, and the versatile Preston Wilson. Wilson is getting lots of non contact work moving to center.  

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Wilson gets lots of non contact work this spring.

“Coach (Charlie) Dickey approached me at the end of the offseason and asked me, ‘What do you think about center? Do you think you could get that done?’ I said absolutely,” Wilson said of the exchange. “It’s something I’m interested in, and I think I could help the team stepping up in that leadership role. I saw where Coach felt someone needed to step up in that area and I’ve done a bunch. Last spring, I played tackle, some guard, and I played some center too. When he approached and said, ‘we need you back at center.’ I said certainly. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Wilson, who has started some was recruited to Oklahoma State with the idea that he was versatile and likely would end up at center. He was recruited by the offensive lien coach Josh Henson. Since then Henson has been at Texas A&M and is now at USC. Dickey is the Cowboys offensive line coach and he always saw Wilson as having options as to where he could play.

“I had not. I only learned to play it last spring and then some things happened, and he asked me to move to guard and then move outside to tackle,” Wilson retraced his offensive line journey since last spring.”

The 6-5, 295-pound Wilson is athletic and he has been a winner coming out of Argyle High School in Texas. His team had a four-year record of 51-4. He says he likes the idea of having a greater role with the duties of reading the fronts and calling signals for the offensive line.

“I like to have a leadership role and have a little pressure on your back,” Wilson said of the calls and decisions you are a part of at the center position. “You have to identify the defense and make calls and then if a guy walks up on the defensive line at the last second then you have to change your call. I like that responsibility. If you get it right, that’s great. If you miss then it’s on you. I like having that pressure.”

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Brooks and the other two transfers will get lots of instruction in learning the offense this summer.

Now besides the injured players all getting back and being cleared fully which should happen in time for summer workouts, there are also three transfer portal players coming in USC tackle Casey Collier (6-7, 310); Vanderbilt guard or tackle Jason Brooks Jr. (6-4, 300); and big masher Prince Pines (6-5, 325).

“You know we’re very excited to have those new guys coming in and we think they came come in and make a difference and impact our team,” Wilson said. “Super excited for those guys and can’t wait until they get here. It’s different for every person how quick they can fit in the groove. We’re ready to take them under our wings and help them and get them ready as fast as possible. It’s really on them at the end of the day on that one.”

It will be important for the entire team. It’s just too bad they can’t make it for the final five spring practices and next Saturday.

Also on Wednesday, Oklahoma State had an offensive line prospect in the house as Norman North’s Harrison Utley was there with his father. The 6-4, 275-pound Utley is a member of the class of 2024.