Oklahoma State 2023 Position Group Recap: Offensive Line
We move along in the offseason position grades this season, and it is the offensive line's turn.
Before the season began, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said that he liked what he had and was comfortable where the group was leading up to the season opener against Central Arkansas
As the season went along, the offensive line increasingly got better, especially during the five-game winning streak. But, it didn't start out hot at the start of the season.
Overall: B+
In the first three games this season, OSU had trouble protecting Alan Bowman and the other quarterbacks.
The offensive line game up nine sacks in the first three games, including four sacks in the 33-7 loss to South Alabama in September.
After the South Alabama contest, Gundy said the Cowboys simplified the offense and relied on the rushing attack, including Ollie Gordon. OSU looked like a completely different team after that change.
Gordon's 1,732 rushing yards were tops in the country this season. His 21 touchdowns were second in the country behind Michigan running back Blake Corum.
It wasn't just the rushing attack; the passing game was working as well, especially during the five-game winning streak.
Bowman found his footing in the offense, averaging over 280 passing yards per contest, including 334 passing yards in OSU's 27-24 victory over Oklahoma.
The offensive line protected him as well, giving up only one sack in the five-game span and only five sacks for the rest of the season.
The 13 sacks allowed put the Cowboys at No. 7 ranked in the country this season, including the second-highest ranked Big 12 team as West Virginia finished third in the country.
All five guys are returning next season, which is crucial, giving what they accomplished as a group last season.
With Gordon and Bowman both returning as well, the offensive line will be comfortable with them standing in the backfield. With how the group played down the stretch, Gundy and the coaching staff hopes that will continue into next season.
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Nick is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University, where he also minors Sports Managment. He has covered OSU softball for 107.7 The Franchise and also covers Oklahoma high school football for Enid News & Eagle.