The Best Things Said by Iman Oates, Josh Ford, and Cam Smith at Big 12 Media Days
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FRISCO, Texas – Oklahoma State brought tight end Josh Ford, defensive tackle Iman Oates, and cornerback Cam Smith. Coming off the 3-9 and 0-9 Big 12 records of last season. The Cowboys were not the headliner on day two of the Big 12 Football Media Days, but every media outlet is after content and head coach Mike Gundy and especially Oates among the players are good quotes. Pokes Report and our radio partner Triple Play Sports Radio had exclusive access to Gundy and all three of the players.
So, here is the most important and the most enlightening comments were heard from the Oklahoma State players contingent.
Iman Oates, Defensive Tackle on how so many big guys on defense were brought to Big 12 Media Days:
“The field is what brings it out for people to know us and once we get out they get to know our personalities. They find out that we have a lot of personality if they hadn’t noticed. I’m happy. I’m an advocate for it. Big guys need shine and they need the spotlight. We all know skill (players) get a lot of shine, but people need to know that it is all in the trenches. It is just as good for us for a teammate to make the tackle than making a tackle yourself. The big guys keeping the big guys off our guys then that is the better we’re going to be. You have to have a mindset and be a little crazy to play defensive line.”
All of the Cowboys players made the rounds to ESPN, TNT, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, and all of the radio stations in the morning. Then there was the breakout in the afternoon. Pokes Report had exclusive time during the day.
Cam Smith, cornerback on Bedlam being the best moment for the Smith family, Cam and his brother and OSU safety Dylan Smith:
“It is crazy, we still talk about it to this day. We remember when we were still in high school and I went first and committed to OKlahoma State and my brother said that we had to play together. We have to. There haven’t been much times that we haven’t played together. We were able to both play at Oklahoma State. One hundred percent our best moment was the last Bedlam game. One hundred percent. It still seems almost surreal. It is like something that you dream about and how everything is going to happen and it truly happens that way. God put us in that position to make those plays on the field and we made them together.”
Josh Ford, tight end on his mother and the tightknit aspect of the Ford family:
“Oh yeah, Fords stick together. I mean my parents support me better than anybody else. Every other day my mom is wearing another 40 jersey or an 40 t-shirt.
Ford’s mom is a frequent practice observer and she makes no apology for being the biggest fan of her son. The pictures of the Ford family after the spring game are a telling sign of how close-knit the family is and how proud they are of the 6-6, 260 pound tight ned that has Ford on the back of his jersey.
