'He's a culture guy': Kody Walterscheid following a familiar path at Oklahoma State
Scott WrightOklahoman
STILLWATER — If history hadn’t already told the tale before, the journey of Kody Walterscheid from a tiny Texas town to major college football would be a little more attention-grabbing.
But the Walterscheid story is well-known to those connected to Oklahoma State football.
Walterscheid is a redshirt sophomore and regularly used reserve on the OSU defense, which is preparing for its final test of the season against fifth-ranked Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl at noon Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
Walterscheid came from a Class 2A football program in Muenster, Texas, and he arrived in Stillwater as a lightly recruited defensive end who was underweight for playing that position in the Big 12 — and that’s where the familiarity of the story hits.
Walterscheid’s older brother, Cole, played at OSU from 2014-18, and walked the same path his younger brother has followed.
Cole Walterscheid was 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds in high school, and only had a half-dozen scholarship offers, but OSU defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements saw something he liked. Cole added 50 pounds and became a reliable and important player on the defensive line.
In his final OSU season, Cole received the team’s Barry Sanders Award for the most contribution with the least recognition.
“It was cool coming to watch him play,” Kody Walterscheid said of his brother, who was a senior while Kody was being recruited. “I love Stillwater, the town, the coaches. It was awesome. Whenever I came here, my brother loved it, because he gets to come to games and hang out in Stillwater for another five years.”
Kody Walterscheid was 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds in his senior year at Muenster, and has bulked up to 275 now in his third season at OSU.
“(Cole) gave me a few tips and pointers coming in about what to expect,” Kody said. “I knew what I was coming into.
“Coach (strength and conditioning coordinator Rob) Glass did a good job putting weight on me. I’ve put on about 50 pounds. I’ve gotten a lot stronger and it’s helped me a lot.”
Backing up starting defensive end Tyler Lacy, Kody has 18 tackles and a sack this season, his first in the primary rotation. Like his brother did, Kody has an understated and simple approach to the game.
“I listen to the coaches, I run to the ball, do my assignment, and just work hard,” Walterscheid said.
Cole Walterscheid wasn’t a flashy recruit, but he was a player who fit in well with the Cowboy program, and had a productive career. Once again, Kody seems to be following that same path.
“He’s a culture guy,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “Been here forever, developed his body, put on 50 pounds and works hard. You don’t hear a lot about him. He’s an unselfish, humble guy that just likes to play football. He shows up and he’s a good football player.”
