STILLWATER – Oklahoma State football head coach will be on the field with his team on Sunday for the first day of spring football. That’s right, Sunday, March 21 opens up the 15-days of spring practices allotted by the NCAA. The Cowboys will have a record (as far as I can remember) 110 players participating in spring football in some form or fashion.
There are some players recovering from post season surgeries like kicker Alex Hale, defensive end Trace Ford, defensive end Brock Martin, linebacker Devin Harper, defensive end Tyren Irby and new freshman receiver Bryson Green. There are others that took on some injuries during offseason training that will be limited early like receiver Langston Anderson and corner Christian Holmes. However, 110 is a lot of players for spring. Gundy welcomed some 16 new players in with transfers, scholarship freshmen, and a few preferred walk-ons. Now, the Cowboys head coach is looking for some more walk-ons.
On Wednesday, March 31, the Cowboys will have their Spring 2021 walk-on tryouts inside the West End Zone of Boone Pickens Stadium. I know, any mention of something like this make you think of “Rudy”, but Oklahoma State is a place where more than a few walk-ons have seen significant action and even become stars. Back in the day there were linebackers Rick Antle (All-Big Eight) and Matt Monger (All-Big Eight and a career in the NFL), but under Gundy the walk-on program has flourished, and more than a few walk-ons have played a lot of football, and yes, some have gone on to the NFL.
“Walk-ons are very important to me and to our football program,” Gundy has said. “These guys are out there without a scholarship and because they truly love the game. I feel safe in saying that we could not have accomplished all we have in my time here without the contribution of our walk-ons. That is why we will always open the door and look for players that want to come out and help us.”
The tryouts on March 31 are open to any OSU student that is currently enrolled full-time (12 hours) on the Stillwater campus and is in good academic standing. The tryouts are for student-athletes interested in joining the team for the fall of 2021. No walk-ons will be added to the spring football roster as those athletes have been through the offseason program and are in top shape and ready for practices this spring.
The tryouts will consist of the following:
- Formal meeting in the West End Zone
- Measurables (height, weight, etc.)
- High School or College film review (bring it with you)
- There is no on-field workout
Interested individuals must complete the online registration form at CoachGundy.com and/or okstate.com. The deadline to register for the tryout is March 29 at 5 p.m. (ct). Register at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScS_5aOQwkNREaiJEA_WOVGjDZpgFkvkuOVuHSCYfxzGssnkA/viewform.
Right now on the roster you have cowboy back Logan Carter, kicker Alex Hale, deep snapper Matt Hembrough, offensive tackle Jake Springfield that have earned scholarships. There are many other players that have earned their way on the field into playing time, many times on special teams. Some players that walked on like kicker Dan Bailey and cowboy back Blake Jarwin have turned their walk-on career into NFL careers.
