Collin Oliver and Derek Mason Get Their First Spring Practice Media Exposure
STILLWATER – The timing has changed, but Collin Oliver is ready to go for Saturday, both for the practice schedule in front of the fans at 1 p.m. inside Boone Pickens Stadium and for our Pokes Report gathering with Collin as the honored guest with our Pokes Report premium subscribers on the patio at Bad Brads!
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at Bad Brads, everyone after the spring game,” Oliver said looking into the camera. “I can’t wait to see all of you out there. Come out and support.”
He did a nice job of pitching his first NIL appearance. Oliver has done some other NIL work, but out Pokes Report event will be his first appearance. My guess is first of many. The time has changed with the 1 p.m. start for practice. We will be at Bad Brads from 4-5 p.m. This is for Pokes Report subscribers only. RSVP by responding to the story. Also, all Pokes Report subscribers and their guests get 30 percent off all food and beverage at the event, except for alcohol.
Monday Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy allowed Oliver to meet with the media. The Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year from last season isn’t shy around microphones, cameras, or reporters. Oliver has a personality as big as his sack total last season. He told me all of it, the multiple freshman All-American awards, second-team All-Big 12, FWAA Freshman of the Year finalist exceeded his own expectations.
“I won’t lie, I feel like I exceeded expectations last year,” Oliver said of his freshman All-American campaign with 15.5 tackles-for-loss and 11.5 sacks. “I knew I was going to play but I didn’t feel like I was going to play as well as I did. Every football player is confident, but when you are on a stage that big, I definitely feel like I exceeded my own expectations. I always believed I could do that.”
Oliver wasn’t the only one breaking in speaking with the Oklahoma State beat media as new defensive coordinator Derek Mason was also available. He spoke about a lot of things including Collin Oliver and his fellow Santa Fe alum at defensive end.
“He’s special, he’s got special tools and special talents. It’s what you see on tape like Trace Ford,” Mason said of the two Edmond Santa Fe edge rushers and “Leo” ends. “I think what you see on tape is special and I’ve had a chance to see those guys move around here. “I’m just looking forward to getting our best 11 (players) on the field and that may look different than it did last year.”
I think I know what that means, look for some packages that get some extra defensive ends on the field. It is a completely loaded position with Oliver, Ford, Brock Martin, Tyler Lacy, Kody Walterschied, Tyren Irby, Nathan Latu, and more.
Oliver caught the attention of so many as his numbers were strong, but his plays took place at key times like sacks to put away the wins at home against Baylor and in Bedlam with Oklahoma.
“Honestly, when you are on the field it just feels like a regular tackle, you know what I mean? You don’t feel the atmosphere until after the fact when everybody is talking about it,” Oliver said of those big moments. “On the field those were two of the loudest games that we had at BPS, so it was different.”
Now, we’re looking for a big time with the Cowboys talented sack master on Saturday at Bad Brads. Remember the time change 4-5 p.m. on the patio and RSVP by responding to this story.