A veteran Oklahoma State roster could produce a special 2024 season. What's the plan for 2025 though?
- Aug 15, 2024 Updated 7 hrs ago
Tyler Waldrep
OSU Sports WriterSTILLWATER — It’s hard to look at Oklahoma State’s veteran roster and not expect a special season is in store for the Cowboys this fall.
The offense alone is expected to start at least eight seniors plus running back Ollie Gordon — who will be eligible for the NFL draft following this season.
Just don’t think too hard about what any of that means for the team in 2025.
“There will be a lot of new guys that have to get work,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. “And hopefully, we can do that some. … For a number of years around here, we were able to do that (get backups in games) three or four times a year, maybe five times a year. But with the way the game has changed with free agency and money, then there’s not as many games like that, but yes, we would like for that to happen. If not, we have to scrimmage a lot in the spring. We got to find out a way to get those guys some live reps.”
The Cowboys of 2025 won’t have the benefit of returning more than 80% of the starting lineup as the team does this season. However, the departure of several seniors at once could open up enough starting spots that Oklahoma State loses minimal players to the transfer portal for the second consecutive year.
For that reason, it’s possible Oklahoma State is a team that reloads with experienced returning players instead of one that rebuilds at most positions in 2025, especially where the offense is concerned.
Reloading
Stribling could be back in 2025
Arkansas transfer AJ Green seems unlikely to play enough to burn a season of eligibility if he sees the field at all. A loss for 2024 that could very well turn into a bright spot in 2025 should he stick around to compete.
Indiana transfer Trent Howland emerged from a committee to lead his former school in rushing. He will compete with Sesi Vailahi for the right to back up Ollie Gordon in 2024. Howland seems likely to stick around considering he came to Oklahoma State with one eye on the chance to be the guy after Gordon leaves.
Replacing Gordon is easier said than done, but at least two of these three guys will have significant game experience ahead of the 2025 season.
This could belong in any of the categories depending on how former Stillwater High standout Josh Ford finishes fall camp. He could be a clear-cut returning starter, an experienced returner, or a talented player who has yet to see meaningful game experience.
After the praise heaped on him from teammates and Gundy, it’s hard to imagine he doesn’t have a significant role to play during 2024, even if he splits snaps with older tight ends such as Ohio transfer Tyler Foster.
De’Zhaun Stribling seems poised for a big 2024 and could even emerge as the top receiver. However, he will face healthy competition for targets. In 2025, he could be the undisputed focal point of the passing attack if not the offense itself.
Oklahoma transfer Gavin Freeman, plus whichever receivers cement backup roles in 2024, should ensure the 2025 Cowboys receiving corps starts with more experience than most would expect following the departures of Brennan Presley and Rashod Owens.
Rebuilding
Seven offensive linemen returned to the Cowboys this offseason with double-digit starts. At least five of them will exhaust their eligibility in 2024, and two of them might have decisions to make that could extend their time in Stillwater if they choose to go that route.
Jason Brooks, who started seven games in 2023 before missing time due to injury, could, in theory, redshirt in 2024 if he plays four or fewer games in the regular season. Not exactly an expected path for him this fall.
Cole Birmingham, who played 874 snaps in 2023, missed all of 2022 due to injury and could apply for a medical redshirt. Whether he would want to do that and if the NCAA would grant it remains to be seen.
Teammates raved about Arizona State transfer Isaia Glass in the spring. He started 21 games for the Sun Devils previously, so regardless of his role in 2024, Glass seems like a surefire future starter for his final year of eligibility in 2025.
However, unless all three of those guys return in 2025, it’s tough to argue Oklahoma State’s other returning linemen will have enough experience to treat the unit as anything but a rebuild.
Unless the unexpected happens this season, Oklahoma State’s quarterback in 2025 will have minimal experience or be a portal addition.
Unless one of them feels they’ve already fallen out of favor with the staff, it seems likely that both Garret Rangel (four starts) and Zane Flores will return as the early favorites to replace Alan Bowman.
