First Day in Pads Goes Down as a Success From Every Corner
STILLWATER – It was the first day of practice in full pads for Oklahoma State. I could tell you there were about a dozen big hits with guys getting knocked around and even knocked out. I could tell you it was like WWE meets MMA from a physical standpoint. If I did, I would be lying. Some media outlets have been known to do some of that.
Honestly, the first practice in pads was a good one. It was physical from freshman running back Ollie Gordon using a big block from center Preston Wilson to make a big gain on a draw play to nose tackle Sione Asi caving in the line of scrimmage and taking down Cowboy back Blaine Green on a rare carry. The near two-hour practice included lots of drill work, an inside drill, seven-on-seven, and a lengthy team period that included some score zone work.
There were no extracurricular skirmishes, just good old-fashioned football with a few tackles to the ground, but mostly players taking care of each other. It was an important day, first day in full pads always is, but it was a good workday like a lot of others in the six days of practice.
“I think these guys have been consistent every day. There is nothing that I can say has been over-the-top and there is nothing that I can say has led to a drop-off,” explained defensive coordinator Derek Mason, who also said he is losing some sleep but proud that many of his players are texting him questions and seeking information at night.
“The one thing that you don’t see us coaching out here is effort,” Mason added. “That is a great thing when you don’t have to coach effort, you’re coaching technique. I tell guys make the main thing, the main thing because if I’m coaching you on effort then you probably aren’t going to play. When you get between the white lines that matters.”
“It starts at the top and (Mike) Gundy sets the tone for everybody and he is a positive influence guy,” offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn said. “He wants coaches and players to come out and focus on the positive things that have happened and minimize the negativity. I think that kind of permeates on both sides of the ball. He wants us to take care of each other and minimized injuries, so we can be good on day one (game one). That really is a good question because it kind of sets the tone of who we are and it sets the tone of how we practice and the string of bowl games that we’ve gone to.”
Gundy was on the field early but watched much of the practice upstairs with defensive analyst, former NFL defensive coordinator, and Oklahoma head coach Gary Gibbs. Gibbs adds a lot to the process along with fellow analysts Chris Thurmond, Timothy Sanders, Bradley Thomas, and Bill Clay. All were there on Tuesday.
Individual standouts included Spencer Sanders who connected with Jaden Bray, Braydon Johnson, John Paul Richardson, and running back Dominic Richardson on scoring passes. The last one was a scramble play where Richardson found empty space at the pylon to become a target. Back-up quarterback Garret Rangel made a number of plays with one of his better practices. The other quarterback battling for the second spot on the depth chart, Gunnar Gundy, also made some plays including a good run on a scramble and a scoring toss to Cowboy back Braden Cassity.
Of course, the offense doesn’t get much done without the offensive line and they have been good throughout camp. One of the best up front has been Preston Wilson, who after playing and starting some games at guard and tackle is at the center position where offensive line coach Charlie Dickey has been pointing him.
“I think I’ve done fairly well at camp and I think it has been awesome to figure out our groove,” Wilson said as he finally enters into that season at center where he was recruited to play. “That helps us as a unit and helps me as well as everyone else. Us being able to figure out the five and everyone else that is able to step in, and figure out the schemes of plays and pass protections because everybody has stuff they need to work on. I’ve been able to get help from other guys and I’ve been able to help people.”
Defense played well with Asi making a couple of plays. There is plenty of depth as no fewer than six players rotated in and out at the nose and defensive tackle positions.
“It’s huge because I’m 300-plus-punds and so I’m going to get tired. That’s why we have guys like Sam (Tuihalamaka), Aden (Kelley), Brendon (Evers), a lot of guys that are going to be ready to step up to the plate when it is time,” Asi said of the depth that also exists at defensive end, in the secondary, and is being developed at linebacker. “It is pretty special because we can catch our breath rather than be on the sideline thinking about how we’re tired and we have to play timid when we are out there. We can be ready just like the last few years because we’ve had guys ready that practiced and were prepared. That was huge for us.”
Besides Asi, linebacker Mason Cobb had a one-handed interception. Red-shirt freshman linebacker Nick Martin and freshman defensive end Jaleel Johnson each had stops behind the line of scrimmage. That became an Oklahoma State staple last season with 114 tackles-for-loss and 500-yards lost for the opposing offenses.
“When you put on the uniform then you become a superhero,” Mason added. “Whatever it is you have to do to get yourself ready to play then that is what you have to do. These guys have kind of grabbed that and so when they’re making mistakes, they’re making fast mistakes. They’re making mistakes that they are not going to make again. Right now, that is where I need to have this group. Pads or no pads they have just gone hard.”
It is part of this program and why they had 114 tackles-for-loss and led the nation in sacks in 2021. It is looking good for a lot of that kind of stuff to repeat itself this season. The first day in pads was a good sign with give and take on both sides of the ball.
Oklahoma State has Wednesday off with just a pair of one-hour meetings on the agenda. Then practice in full pads Thursday, Friday, helmets and shoulder pads on Saturday, special teams practice on Sunday, and full pads on Monday and Tuesday before the next off day.