Fans Can Catch Some Practice Before the Meet and Greet, Plus They Can Help Recruiting

(Oklahoma State University athletic media relations contributed to this story.)

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State football fans need to be prompt and they might sneak in and catch more relevant football than they’ve ever seen in previous years at a spring football game. As it states below the gate on the southwest corner of the Sherman Smith Training Center will open up at 12:45 p.m. with the huge side partitions of the unique training center being raised and fans can watch some 30-to-40 minutes of the end of practice, which is typically 11-v-11 team period work. My hope is that head coach Mike Gundy will get through several cycles of team reps with first, second, and third offensive and defensive groups. It would be a good mini taste of where the team is.

Oklahoma State Athletics

The viewing area above is the concrete area outside the left side of the building. 

My recommendation would be for fans to keep their phones and any cameras pocketed as nobody really wants items recording practice. Save the videos and pictures for the meet and greet after practice. Show up enthusiastic because Oklahoma State will be entertaining six official visitors and no telling how many prospects there for an unofficial visit. Cowboy football has had over 120 unofficial visitors at practices this spring already. Players and parents at practice, meeting coaches and players, taking pictures in Oklahoma State uniforms.

For fans this can’t make up for no spring game, but like I said wrote in the first paragraph, this will be legitimate practice with coaches looking for execution and performance. One athletic department official said he hopes that kids will bring footblls to play catch with the players.

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Nardo talking with rover Kendal Daniels

I get it. Fans have heard about Bryan Nardo, the new defensive coordinator, and his defense. They wonder what it looks like with Collin Oliver at outside linebacker and what new nose tackle Justin Kirkland really looks like pushing the middle. Gundy said he has seen 

"Yeah, it has been. Like last Saturday, the defense worked them (offense) over pretty good. Last Wednesday, the offense worked them over pretty good,” Gundy said before the MOnday practice which was basically even. “So, one of the more difficult things for a head coach is to decide what you want. I want to see the defense do really well. Offensively, we can figure it out. We'll be more effective rushing the ball, we'll get things figured out. I want to be really good on defense."

Gundy said working against this defense has been very good for the offense. Oklahoma State has had their struggles with odd man fronts. Think the Tulsa games in recent seasons, Iowa State, and especially Kansas State last season. Those are all odd man front defenses. 

"It's been good for our offense,” Gundy answered my question. “You know, one issue you have when you're based out of an even front, you're not very good against the odd, because you don't practice against it. You can simulate it, but it's not the same. So, this has been really good for our offense. I'm hoping that we we're able to hedge the bet that we know enough about four-down. We've worked against four-down for 20 years. So, this should help us with odd-front teams that we're playing. It's also helping our defense and Bryan (Nardo) because our offense is scheming our defense this spring. They have to for survival. And it's allowing them to see things that they should see against them next year based on what our people think."

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Justin Wright at linebacker.

Hopefully, you will get a look at other newcomers like quarterback Alan Bowman, running back Elijah Collins, receivers De’Zhaun Stribling, Arland Bruce IV, and Leon Johnson III. The tight ends like Josiah Johnson and Ian Edenfield. On defense besides Kirkland, defensive end Anthony Goodlow, linebacker Justin Wright, and corner Kenneth Harris. You also want to see Ollie Gordon, Jaden Nixon, Garret Rangel, Brennan Presley, Blaine Green, Jade Bray, and so many more.

Time and Location

Oklahoma State Athletics

Sherman Smith Training Center

Beginning at 12:45 p.m., fans may enter the southwest exterior gate of the Sherman E. Smith Training Center and watch the end of football practice from outside the west doors of the facility. When practice ends, barriers will be removed by Oklahoma State staff members and fans may then enter the facility through the west doors and interact with players until 2 p.m.

Parking
Parking will be available in the lot immediately to the west of the Sherman E. Smith Training Center.

Lining Up
For fans arriving prior to the gate opening at 12:45 p.m., they may line up on the sidewalk on the west side of the Sherman E. Smith Training Center.

 Interacting with the Team
Fans will be allowed to take photos and mingle with Cowboy football players until the end of the allotted time.

Exiting the Building
When the event ends, a horn will sound and fans will be required to exit the building through the south doors of the facility. Players are required to attend mandatory team functions immediately when the horn sounds and will not be available to interact with fans any longer than the allotted time.