Gundy Talks Emerging Players in Camp, Most Pleased with Back-up Quarterbacks

STILLWATER – Before the Thursday practice Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy was in a good mood and he went from demonstrating a good one-handed push-up and talking “Rocky” movies and drinking raw eggs to talking about recent Cowboys Malcolm Rodriguez and Jaylen Warren becoming NFL stalwarts. Then when the subject came back to fall camp and how his team was developing, Gundy was asked about emerging players in camp. He dotted on corner Jabbar Muhammad at corner, who has played really well. Gundy complimented the linebackers and introduced two freshmen “Leo” defensive ends in Jaleel Johnson of Putnam City North and Desean Brown of Choctaw.

Then Gundy got around to the offense.   

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Freshman Garrtet Rangel has a strong arm.

"Honestly, offensively I'm particularly pleased with the backup quarterbacks and the strides they've made,” the head coach said talking about red-shirt freshman Gunnar Gundy and true freshman that checked in for spring semester in Garret Rangel. My comfort level with them was 100%, because they're really the new guys that have tried to work their way into full-speed action. The other guys have done it.”

Gundy did not peg one over the other and that is what curious Oklahoma State fans want to know. Which of the two is on the second line underneath Spencer Sanders on the depth chart? I’ve seen a lot of practice and I would be guessing with an answer. It is very close. One day Gunnar might be better and move the offense. Gundy is very smart and has shown a strong ability to pick up the blitz and turn it into a big play. His biggest play of camp may have been a 50-yard plus connection with Rashon Owens. It was a ball that was thrown out in front of Owens that he dove and caught.

Rangel has a strong arm and quick release. The Frisco, Texas product has had plenty of good days in practice. He can throw every route and make it look pretty. His command back there gets better every day.

Again, Gundy didn’t name a back-up, but said he likes them both.

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Gunnar Gundy can move well. He clocked a 4.6 in the 40 after summer workouts.

"Just the way they operate. And when they're in, they operate and it looks like our offense, calling plays and looks like normal,” Gundy explained. “That's really what it comes down to. They can both run. Got to be able to avoid [pass rush] and take off nowadays. Defensive linemen are good. Defensive linemen at this level have transitioned to what it was in the NFL. Offensive linemen really can't block and it's just a matter of holding them off for a little bit and then quarterbacks got to make a play."

Both of the back-ups can move. Gundy loves that. Friday could be a major test for the twosome to decide who is two and who is three.