Gundy on Linebackers and Latu as They've Done Well in Camp

STILLWATER – Truth be told the defense wins more individual plays in practice, but it should be that way. The defense knows the offense, in some cases knows their checks. That is why the longer you go in a fall camp the more both sides are eager to line up against somebody else. Oklahoma State was back in full pads on Monday and went through a two-and-a-half-hour practice that included a slightly longer team period that was more focused on heavy formations and the run game. Mike Gundy had hinted that would be the case when he spoke to the media before practice on Saturday. His hint on more physical play showed up when I asked about the linebackers.

“They’re doing good. We’re going to start to pick up the pace contact-wise a little bit over the next five or six practices, seven practices, because then we start to back off before the first game,” Gundy said.

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Xavier Benson is a leader among the linebackers.

Our Pokes Report NIL Journal author Xavier Benson spoke last week of his confidence in the linebackers. He is in his first season at Oklahoma State but has the most extensive resume’ of the linebackers having started a season at Texas Tech and being the Southwest Junior College Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season with over 100 tackles at Tyler Junior College. He is sharing the field with Lamont Bishop, another junior college product; Mason Cobb, a highly-regarded Utah high school standout from Provo; a local All-State performer in Jeff Roberson of Choctaw; and a red-shirt freshman from Benson’s high school that looked up to him when he was there in Nick Martin. I like what I’ve seen of that group. None of them can replace Rodriguez and Harper right away, but together they make a serious dent.  

“I don’t see any of those four or five guys that are rotating through there shying away from contact, but the next four to six practices will be important for them, because they’re tired now, they’re fatigued, they’re beat up a little bit,” Gundy continued. “So, we’ll see if they can push through it, because ultimately, that’s what we have to do in a game."

They all need to stay healthy and support each other. They have a stout defensive line in front of them that will help. It has all the names you know in Brock Martin, Collin Oliver, Trace Ford, Brendon Evers, Sione Asi, Samuela Tuihalamaka, Tyler Lacy, Kody Walterscheid, and add in Nathan Latu.

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Nathan Latu is a physical presence on the defensive line.

Latu is a transfer from Snow C.C. in Utah. His brother Cameron is a standout tight end in his second season of starting at Alabama. Nathan is 6-4, 265-pounds and the red-shirt junior is capable of getting really physical and also has plenty of athletic ability. He was a track performer and played rugby in high school. I see a player that has a chance to be significant this season.

"Nathan has turned the corner a little bit in our culture,” Gundy said. “And he's a transfer that's been in the program long enough that he understands the demands of being successful at this level, in all areas; on the field, off the field, socially, school-wise. There's just a great demand on those guys to make sure everything's in order so they can perform and keep their mind straight and keep it clean. He's turned the corner in my opinion, and I've told him that. I see him doing things now that he wasn’t doing at this time last year. We call it maturity and growth and I think he's finally moving in that direction."

Along with Walterscheid, he allows Tyler Lacy, who is now close to 300-pounds, more opportunity to play inside as a three, four, or five technique. Keep an eye out for Latu and I promise No. 92 won’t be hard to find.

The Cowboys are back in the Sherman Smith Training Center in the morning on Tuesday (Aug. 16) for practice 12 of fall camp. It will be another session in full pads before a day off on Wednesday and then three straight days and likely a scrimmage heading to the finish of camp. Classes start at Oklahoma State next Monday, Aug. 22.