Big 12 Snapshot: Oklahoma State Cowboys

Good morning. I’m introducing a new series intended to take a look at each team in the new Big 12. I’m not sure how many I’ll get done each week, but the only way for me to really know about these teams is to actually do the research so I can be relatively informed when the season hits. So I spent time doing the research this weekend. There are links to everything below so if there isn’t a link, then I didn’t write it, but I always link back to the originator of the content. I wanted to take a quick look at the team: get a feel for the best players; look into their portal class consisted and how they ranked overall; a look at the 2024 recruiting class; and ending on the graphic from Sharp College Football.

Snapshot: The key for Oklahoma State is the 20 starters that return. That’s huge in college football especially for a team that won as much as they did. Former Texas Tech footballer QB Alan Bowman returns for his 7th year of eligibility (I have no idea how many years as his 7th year was supposed to be a joke, but it might be true), completing 61% of his passes for 3,460 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 picks. RB Ollie Gordon, II is the star, 285 carries, 1,732 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Defensively, OSU had 3 players with over 100 tackles and they all 3 return. Linebacker Nickolas Martin had 140 tackles, 6 sacks, and 2 picks. Safeties Kendal Daniels and 105 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 picks, while fellow safety Trey Rucker had 100 tackles and 1 pick. Oklahoma State went 5-1 in 1-score games and that’s a lot of luck.

Do the Cowboys play Texas Tech? Yes, the 11th game of the year in Stillwater on November 23rd.

Returning Starters: Offensive returning starters – 10 (79% of offensive production); Defensive returning starters – 10 (74% of defensive production).

Transfer Portal Arrivals: 8. Two running backs, two receivers, a tight end and an offensive lineman. 6 of the 8 transfers are on the offensive side and 5 of the 6 are skill positions. Surprised that Gundy & Co. didn’t dip into the portal for more defensive back help.
RB A.J. Green (from Arkansas)
RB Trent Howland (from Indiana)
WR Da’Wain Lofton (from Virginia Tech)
WR Gavin Freeman (from Oklahoma)
TE Tyler Foster (from Ohio)
OL Isaia Glass (from Arizona State)
DL Obi Ezeigbo (from Gannon)
DB Kobe Hylton (from UTEP)

On3 Transfer Index Score: -6 (Big 12 high is +68 with Colorado and low is -30 with Houston)

Spring Portal Grades: B-

Key additions: Trent Howland, RB (Indiana); Gavin Freeman, WR (Oklahoma)

Key subtractions: None

Outlook: It wasn’t a busy window for Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys came away with a pair of somewhat intriguing additions. Howland will add depth behind Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon II. Meanwhile, Freeman should serve as a nice utility weapon. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound receiver tallied 19 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown for Oklahoma last season. He also carried the ball five times for 20 yards and ran back a punt for a touchdown.

Pac 12 2024 Recruiting & Big 12 2024 Recruiting: Mike Gundy is going to do things his way and get good results in Stillwater so while there are no four-stars in this recruiting class the Cowboys focused on loading up with top defensive backs.

High three-stars Willie Nelson, Landyn Cleveland and David Kabongo lead the way and wide receivers Tre’ Griffiths and LaDainian Fields could be standouts in the Oklahoma State offense as well.

Grade: B-

Sharp College Football Beta Rank Deep Dive: Mid? Is that what this is, just right down the middle okay, but with an excellent record? The running game, despite having a terrific running back, was just okay and Bowman throwing the ball was the star of the show. Cutting down on negative drives is huge offensively. Defensively, the Cowboys were stellar stopping the run and not great stopping the pass. That’s maybe the biggest split I’ve seen.