Spring Football Is Officially Underway With Start of First Practice

STILLWATER – It might not have been a full-pads day for Oklahoma State football, but Mike Gundy and Co. were out on the practice fields of the Sherman Smith Indoor for the first official day of Spring Football.

Today was the first time in roughly a year since the media got to attend a practice in person and it was exciting and so much fun. To hear the music blaring and the coaches yelling and players hitting equipment, football season will be here before we know it.

Spencer Sanders, Shane Illingworth and the rest of the quarterbacks were on the North end of the training facility getting some ball security drills in, as well as some quick release drills. Both look more comfortable and confident than they did coming out of the season, which is a really good sign. With not having a spring, or summer last year due to COVID, this spring season is going to be really important for the quarterback group.

“All these practices are important for quarterbacks because they can always sharpen their sword a little bit more,” said offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn. “The big thing we’re trying to say right now in spring ball is competition – at every position. So, when you bring up Spencer and him trying to work his thing out, it’s really, he’s battling his ass off for that job. We want Shane feeling like he can go out there and compete and be the number one guy, we want Spencer feeling like that, we want every receiver feeling the pressure of the No. 2 guy, we want all the running backs feeling the pressure of the No. 2 and 3 and 4, we’re deep at that position. So, for me to tell you exactly what our roster’s going to look like when we roll out our starting 11, I couldn’t pinpoint it. I want it that way; I want it ultra-competitive.”

I still expect them to roll into the first game of the season with Sanders as the starter, but the taste Illingworth got last season as a starter is really going to help push Spencer to another level this spring. Expect a really fun quarterback competition.

With it being the first day of practice, it was tough to really get a feel on how guys progressed from the fall, especially without pads. However, defensive tackle Collin Clay was out on the field doing drills, albeit at half speed, but still a great sight to see. Devin Harper (shoulder) and Trace Ford (knee) will be out this spring rehabbing injuries, but both were out on the far practice field with Rob Glass doing some conditioning.

The offensive line looked full and healthy for the first time in several months. Senior leader Josh Sills looked faster and stronger than he did a year ago, as does Hunter Anthony.

I’ll be the first to admit it was a strange sight not seeing the offensive trio of Chuba Hubbard, Dillon Stoner and Tylan Wallace, or the defensive duo of Amen Ogbongbemiga and Rodarius Williams. What that means is it’s time for other guys to step up and fill the shoes of those guys.

Dunn said it opens the door for guys like Braydon Johnson, Tay Martin and Brennan Presley. At corner, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles wants to see returner Christian Holmes turn the corner from last season.

Presley, along with Thomas Harper and a few other guys, were out in the middle of the practice field hauling in punt returns. With Stoner out, we’ll get to see a lot of Brennan back deep as well.

There will be several other opportunities for the media to get out and watch the Cowboys this spring, with the next coming in the next 10 days. Pokes Report will be at each one, including Robert Allen, to bring you in-depth coverage throughout the spring leading up to the Spring Game on April 24.