reason to be optimistic...x-fers making a difference.
WVU transfer Sills a front-runner to start
STILLWATER — With so many returning players already filling spots in the Oklahoma State lineup, opportunities for new signees to contribute will be rare.
Last season, four players from the previous signing class got onto the field in regular roles: defensive ends Trace Ford and Jayden Jernigan, cornerback Thomas Harper and punter Tom Hutton.
Let’s look at three additions from the 2020 class who are most likely to contribute and three most likely to redshirt in the fall:
Most likely to contribute
Josh Sills, OL, West Virginia: The graduate transfer was a second team All-Big 12 selection in 2018 at left guard, one of the two vacant spots on OSU’s offensive line. The 6-foot-6, 326-pound Sills will be the frontrunner for a starting job in spring. Tyren Irby, DE, Northwest Mississippi CC: Another of the eight players already on campus, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Irby is perfectly suited to fill the role of the only defensive lineman OSU lost: Mike Scott. Irby is an edge rusher who can back up Trace Ford and Brock Martin, and add quarterback pressure in passing situations. Lamont Bishop, LB, Iowa Central CC: While there’s not a starting job to be had in the linebacker group, the Cowboys need someone to emerge as a reliable backup at middle linebacker. Kevin Henry transferred, opening the door for the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Bishop to step into the reserve role behind starter Amen Ogbongbemiga.
Most likely to redshirt
Grant Mahon, DT, Denton, Texas:
The Cowboy defensive line is as loaded with talent and experience as any position on the field, because of the heavy rotation of players that get in the action. Ten players saw regular action and nine of them return. Plus, Sione Asi redshirted, Tyren Irby was signed from the junior college ranks and Arkansas transfer Collin Clay could be granted immediate eligibility from the NCAA, adding even more depth.
Trent Pullen, OL, Waco, Texas:
Pullen is the smallest of the offensive line signees at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, so he could use a season to bulk up. Truthfully, you could put all four of the high school offensive line signees here, because the Cowboys have built their depth to the point they don’t have to expect true freshmen to contribute on the offensive front. Quinton Stewart, TE, Salina, Kansas: Stewart has the talent and the size (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) to be an early contributor, but OSU returns all four tight ends it used last season, led by Jelani Woods. And realistically, it’s possible that nearly the entire class of freshmen will be redshirted because of OSU’s strong depth across the board.
WVU transfer Sills a front-runner to start
STILLWATER — With so many returning players already filling spots in the Oklahoma State lineup, opportunities for new signees to contribute will be rare.
Last season, four players from the previous signing class got onto the field in regular roles: defensive ends Trace Ford and Jayden Jernigan, cornerback Thomas Harper and punter Tom Hutton.
Let’s look at three additions from the 2020 class who are most likely to contribute and three most likely to redshirt in the fall:
Most likely to contribute
Josh Sills, OL, West Virginia: The graduate transfer was a second team All-Big 12 selection in 2018 at left guard, one of the two vacant spots on OSU’s offensive line. The 6-foot-6, 326-pound Sills will be the frontrunner for a starting job in spring. Tyren Irby, DE, Northwest Mississippi CC: Another of the eight players already on campus, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Irby is perfectly suited to fill the role of the only defensive lineman OSU lost: Mike Scott. Irby is an edge rusher who can back up Trace Ford and Brock Martin, and add quarterback pressure in passing situations. Lamont Bishop, LB, Iowa Central CC: While there’s not a starting job to be had in the linebacker group, the Cowboys need someone to emerge as a reliable backup at middle linebacker. Kevin Henry transferred, opening the door for the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Bishop to step into the reserve role behind starter Amen Ogbongbemiga.
Most likely to redshirt
Grant Mahon, DT, Denton, Texas:
The Cowboy defensive line is as loaded with talent and experience as any position on the field, because of the heavy rotation of players that get in the action. Ten players saw regular action and nine of them return. Plus, Sione Asi redshirted, Tyren Irby was signed from the junior college ranks and Arkansas transfer Collin Clay could be granted immediate eligibility from the NCAA, adding even more depth.
Trent Pullen, OL, Waco, Texas:
Pullen is the smallest of the offensive line signees at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, so he could use a season to bulk up. Truthfully, you could put all four of the high school offensive line signees here, because the Cowboys have built their depth to the point they don’t have to expect true freshmen to contribute on the offensive front. Quinton Stewart, TE, Salina, Kansas: Stewart has the talent and the size (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) to be an early contributor, but OSU returns all four tight ends it used last season, led by Jelani Woods. And realistically, it’s possible that nearly the entire class of freshmen will be redshirted because of OSU’s strong depth across the board.
