Ollie Gordon II Eager To Get Back out Onto the Field
STILLWATER – As if there was ever going to be a doubt, reigning Doak Walker award winning running back Ollie Gordon II was amongst the four players selected to speak to the media following the first practice of spring football for Oklahoma State.
“It’s been a minute since we’ve put the pads on, at least the helmet back on and come back in the indoor,” Gordon II said following practice. “It’s been a little minute, but it’s been a great minute putting in work in the offseason. I feel [the off-season’s] really been great for all of us. Just building bonds with the guys, getting new faces in the locker room and just making them feel a part of the Cowboy family. We’re all playing for each other in a couple of months, so I feel it’s really been good for us.”
The interesting thought process behind his statement of building bonds with each other is this is a roster that doesn’t really need to do much in order to get closer. The entire starting offensive line, as well as a good chunk of second teamers return, all three quarterbacks from last season are back, as are most of the receivers. Then you take a look at the defensive side of the ball and the Cowboys return one of the oldest teams in college football.
“Last spring, we had 28 new players,” coach Mike Gundy said ahead of practice on Tuesday. “This spring, it’s around 12. Somewhere in that area, so less than half. More retention from the team in general. We have seventh-year guys. Sixth-year guys. Fifth-year guys. So, it’s considerably different from an installation standpoint. We’ve got a few players that we’ll have to bring along slower that are new, but the majority of them can move along pretty quick this spring.”
One thing I asked Ollie as a third-year player on an experience team, just how important is this spring to the team? Because one thing Gundy mentioned Tuesday afternoon was getting a lot of a young guys work and putting the older players through drills, but not as much physicality for the vets.
“Honestly, this spring is more important because coming off a 10-win season, we can’t let that affect us. So, I feel we have to put that behind us and just grind even harder now this spring.”
It’s apparent Ollie doesn’t buy into just “taking it easy” and giving up reps. This team has a chance to do something special this fall and busting it in the spring is what’s going to help this team get there.