Why They’ll Rebound to Eight Wins: The Juice is Back in Stillwater
Oklahoma State’s 2024 season was a gut punch—3-9, winless in the Big 12, a far cry from the program’s usual standard under Mike Gundy. But spring 2025 feels like a reset button has been smashed, and the glass is brimming with potential. The coaching overhaul—new coordinators Doug Meacham (offense) and Todd Grantham (defense), plus a slew of fresh position coaches—has injected a level of energy that’s impossible to ignore. The energy juice is up.
On offense, the inside receivers are already a bright spot. Gavin Freeman (5-11, 185), Sam Jackson V (5-11, 185), and Da’Wain Lofton (5-10, 190) are turning heads early. Freeman’s decision to redshirt after four games last year preserved his legs, and now he’s poised to lead. Jackson, a transfer from Auburn, and Lofton, from Virginia Tech, bring Power Five experience and speed—Jackson’s elusiveness as a former QB adds a wild card. Jaylen Lloyd (5-10, 175), out of Nebraska, is another spark plug with sprinter speed. Young receivers like freshman Kameron Powell (5-10, 175) shone last Saturday, with Powell snagging a touchdown from Garret Rangel in the red zone. This group’s depth and dynamism suggest a passing game that can stretch defenses—a key to clawing back to eight wins.
The offensive line, a glaring weakness in 2024, is getting a makeover with new coaches Andrew Mitchell and Cooper Bassett splitting duties, aided by quality control coach Grant Garner and recruiting analyst Zach Allen—all ex-Cowboys who know the program’s DNA. They’re investing significant time with redshirt freshman Nuku Mafi (6-4, 325) and redshirt sophomore Gage Stanaland (6-3, 300), signaling trust in their potential. Gundy’s take? “Essentially, you’ve got five guys, and there’s not anybody that can watch five guys and coach ‘em correctly… So at least we’re splitting it in half now, and that’s what my plan was.” Veteran analyst Chris Thurmond raved, “Those new coaches on the offensive line, they’re not just good, but they are really good… I’ve sat in on their meetings and they really know what they’re doing and how to teach it.” Add in Tulsa transfer Kasen Carpenter (6-3, 305) at center and returnee Austin Kawecki (6-4, 300) at guard, and this unit’s hunger could turn a liability into a strength—enough to protect the QB and open lanes for eight wins.
The running back room, still has juice. Trent Howland (6-3, 240) and Sesi Vailahi (5-10, 205) showed promise last year, and Rodney Fields Jr. (5-10, 190) impressed with runs in Thursday’s practice. Their physicality in ball security and pass protection drills hints at a committee that can grind out yards—vital for controlling games and hitting that eight-win mark. Hicks, a 5-11, 209-pound redshirt sophomore transfer from Oklahoma, is already turning heads. A former four-star recruit (No. 299 overall in 2023 per On3), he was buried on OU’s depth chart but flashed potential—like a 30-yard touchdown run in their 2024 spring game.
Hicks has a shot at RB1. Early spring reports suggest he’s a dual-threat dynamo—explosive on the ground and a great receiver out of the backfield. At Denton Ryan High, he racked up 3,508 total yards and 34 touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry as a sophomore, and his track speed placed him sixth in the Texas 5A 4x200 relay, hints at his Big 12 starting RB potential. The passing game complements Hicks beautifully as he is a reliable receiver.
Defensively, Grantham’s arrival has the sideline buzzing—two interceptions and edge pressure in Thursday’s practice show a unit eager to prove itself. Gundy loves the vibe: “I like where they’re at… the structure, the organization, the concepts, what they’re trying to get accomplished—they’re football guys.” This enthusiasm, paired with a clean slate for players, could lift a defense that cratered last year into a bend-don’t-break outfit, good enough for eight wins against a manageable Big 12 slate.
Eight wins feels like the floor because this spring’s “juice” is real—new coaches proving themselves, players fighting for spots, and early standouts emerging. The schedule helps too: Oregon’s a beast in week two, but 2 winnable nonconference games and a winnable Big 12 mix (minus a few juggernauts) give them a path. As Gundy said, reflecting on the reset, “Your team needs to be excited and sometimes newness accomplishes that.” That excitement alone could carry them to 8-4.
What It’ll Take to Hit 10 Wins: Precision and a Star QB
Pushing past eight to 10 wins—a return to OSU’s classic standard—requires more than juice; it demands precision and a breakout star. The offensive line must gel into a top-tier unit, not just a functional one. Mafi and Stanaland need to lock down tackle and guard spots, with Carpenter holding the center job. If Kawecki and a transfer like Louie Canepa (6-4, 310) solidify the other guard and tackle, they could dominate up front. Last year’s veteran line flopped despite experience; this group’s youth and coaching could flip the script, but they’ll need to stonewall Oregon and Big 12 pass rushers to give the offense time.
The quarterback battle is the X-factor. Zane Flores (6-3, 200), Garret Rangel (6-2, 190), and Maealiuaki Smith (6-2, 205) all threw scores Thursday, while Hauss Hejny (5-11, 185) dazzled with his legs. Rangel’s red-zone strike to Powell shows poise, but none have separated yet. Gundy’s coy: “There hasn’t been a full padded, full thud practice yet… no player has shown their name is needing to be put in on the top line.” For 10 wins, one must emerge as a dual-threat star—think Spencer Sanders—capable of 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing. Hejny’s elusiveness (recruited by Meacham at TCU) could be the edge, but he’ll need to sharpen his arm. Meacham’s high-octane history at TCU suggests he’ll scheme a QB-friendly attack, but the winner must execute against top defenses.
The receivers need a go-to guy—Freeman or Lofton could be it, with Lloyd’s speed stretching fields. If Powell or another young gun steps up as a No. 2, they’ll punish secondaries, opening the run game. Defensively, Grantham’s scheme must generate turnovers—those two picks Thursday are a start, but 10 wins means doubling last year’s takeaway total (a measly 10). Edge rushers pressuring QBs consistently will help, and corners like Kale Smith (6-0, 180) need to lock down big plays.
10 wins is doable only if the offensive line overachieves, a QB seizing the job, and Grantham’s defense gelling faster than expected. Gundy’s old-school coordinators are “working all the time,” per his words, and if that translates to a crisp, explosive team by fall, 10-2 isn’t a dream—it’s a rebound with teeth.
This spring’s vibe—physicality so far in shorts, celebrations after turnovers, and coaches teaching with fire—sets the stage. Eight wins is the baseline; 10 is the prize if the stars align. The glass isn’t just half full—it’s got room to overflow.
Oklahoma State’s 2024 season was a gut punch—3-9, winless in the Big 12, a far cry from the program’s usual standard under Mike Gundy. But spring 2025 feels like a reset button has been smashed, and the glass is brimming with potential. The coaching overhaul—new coordinators Doug Meacham (offense) and Todd Grantham (defense), plus a slew of fresh position coaches—has injected a level of energy that’s impossible to ignore. The energy juice is up.
On offense, the inside receivers are already a bright spot. Gavin Freeman (5-11, 185), Sam Jackson V (5-11, 185), and Da’Wain Lofton (5-10, 190) are turning heads early. Freeman’s decision to redshirt after four games last year preserved his legs, and now he’s poised to lead. Jackson, a transfer from Auburn, and Lofton, from Virginia Tech, bring Power Five experience and speed—Jackson’s elusiveness as a former QB adds a wild card. Jaylen Lloyd (5-10, 175), out of Nebraska, is another spark plug with sprinter speed. Young receivers like freshman Kameron Powell (5-10, 175) shone last Saturday, with Powell snagging a touchdown from Garret Rangel in the red zone. This group’s depth and dynamism suggest a passing game that can stretch defenses—a key to clawing back to eight wins.
The offensive line, a glaring weakness in 2024, is getting a makeover with new coaches Andrew Mitchell and Cooper Bassett splitting duties, aided by quality control coach Grant Garner and recruiting analyst Zach Allen—all ex-Cowboys who know the program’s DNA. They’re investing significant time with redshirt freshman Nuku Mafi (6-4, 325) and redshirt sophomore Gage Stanaland (6-3, 300), signaling trust in their potential. Gundy’s take? “Essentially, you’ve got five guys, and there’s not anybody that can watch five guys and coach ‘em correctly… So at least we’re splitting it in half now, and that’s what my plan was.” Veteran analyst Chris Thurmond raved, “Those new coaches on the offensive line, they’re not just good, but they are really good… I’ve sat in on their meetings and they really know what they’re doing and how to teach it.” Add in Tulsa transfer Kasen Carpenter (6-3, 305) at center and returnee Austin Kawecki (6-4, 300) at guard, and this unit’s hunger could turn a liability into a strength—enough to protect the QB and open lanes for eight wins.
The running back room, still has juice. Trent Howland (6-3, 240) and Sesi Vailahi (5-10, 205) showed promise last year, and Rodney Fields Jr. (5-10, 190) impressed with runs in Thursday’s practice. Their physicality in ball security and pass protection drills hints at a committee that can grind out yards—vital for controlling games and hitting that eight-win mark. Hicks, a 5-11, 209-pound redshirt sophomore transfer from Oklahoma, is already turning heads. A former four-star recruit (No. 299 overall in 2023 per On3), he was buried on OU’s depth chart but flashed potential—like a 30-yard touchdown run in their 2024 spring game.
Hicks has a shot at RB1. Early spring reports suggest he’s a dual-threat dynamo—explosive on the ground and a great receiver out of the backfield. At Denton Ryan High, he racked up 3,508 total yards and 34 touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry as a sophomore, and his track speed placed him sixth in the Texas 5A 4x200 relay, hints at his Big 12 starting RB potential. The passing game complements Hicks beautifully as he is a reliable receiver.
Defensively, Grantham’s arrival has the sideline buzzing—two interceptions and edge pressure in Thursday’s practice show a unit eager to prove itself. Gundy loves the vibe: “I like where they’re at… the structure, the organization, the concepts, what they’re trying to get accomplished—they’re football guys.” This enthusiasm, paired with a clean slate for players, could lift a defense that cratered last year into a bend-don’t-break outfit, good enough for eight wins against a manageable Big 12 slate.
Eight wins feels like the floor because this spring’s “juice” is real—new coaches proving themselves, players fighting for spots, and early standouts emerging. The schedule helps too: Oregon’s a beast in week two, but 2 winnable nonconference games and a winnable Big 12 mix (minus a few juggernauts) give them a path. As Gundy said, reflecting on the reset, “Your team needs to be excited and sometimes newness accomplishes that.” That excitement alone could carry them to 8-4.
What It’ll Take to Hit 10 Wins: Precision and a Star QB
Pushing past eight to 10 wins—a return to OSU’s classic standard—requires more than juice; it demands precision and a breakout star. The offensive line must gel into a top-tier unit, not just a functional one. Mafi and Stanaland need to lock down tackle and guard spots, with Carpenter holding the center job. If Kawecki and a transfer like Louie Canepa (6-4, 310) solidify the other guard and tackle, they could dominate up front. Last year’s veteran line flopped despite experience; this group’s youth and coaching could flip the script, but they’ll need to stonewall Oregon and Big 12 pass rushers to give the offense time.
The quarterback battle is the X-factor. Zane Flores (6-3, 200), Garret Rangel (6-2, 190), and Maealiuaki Smith (6-2, 205) all threw scores Thursday, while Hauss Hejny (5-11, 185) dazzled with his legs. Rangel’s red-zone strike to Powell shows poise, but none have separated yet. Gundy’s coy: “There hasn’t been a full padded, full thud practice yet… no player has shown their name is needing to be put in on the top line.” For 10 wins, one must emerge as a dual-threat star—think Spencer Sanders—capable of 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing. Hejny’s elusiveness (recruited by Meacham at TCU) could be the edge, but he’ll need to sharpen his arm. Meacham’s high-octane history at TCU suggests he’ll scheme a QB-friendly attack, but the winner must execute against top defenses.
The receivers need a go-to guy—Freeman or Lofton could be it, with Lloyd’s speed stretching fields. If Powell or another young gun steps up as a No. 2, they’ll punish secondaries, opening the run game. Defensively, Grantham’s scheme must generate turnovers—those two picks Thursday are a start, but 10 wins means doubling last year’s takeaway total (a measly 10). Edge rushers pressuring QBs consistently will help, and corners like Kale Smith (6-0, 180) need to lock down big plays.
10 wins is doable only if the offensive line overachieves, a QB seizing the job, and Grantham’s defense gelling faster than expected. Gundy’s old-school coordinators are “working all the time,” per his words, and if that translates to a crisp, explosive team by fall, 10-2 isn’t a dream—it’s a rebound with teeth.
This spring’s vibe—physicality so far in shorts, celebrations after turnovers, and coaches teaching with fire—sets the stage. Eight wins is the baseline; 10 is the prize if the stars align. The glass isn’t just half full—it’s got room to overflow.
