Oklahoma State Announces Depth Chart for Tulsa
STILLWATER -- Here's something I wasn't sure I was gonna get to say this year: it's game week for Oklahoma State football.
This is has been a rather up and down year, for many reasons, but so far this week looks to be pretty exciting with Cowboy football's season opener against Tulsa this Saturday and we're starting the week off with a bang: a depth chart.
Related: Pokes Report projects Oklahoma State's week one depth chart against Tulsa
"We're comfortable with a number of players being on the field on both sides of the ball, and including special teams,” coach Gundy said of the depth chart. “I know that none of us can forecast the future, but is there a comfort level for us, the staff and myself? Sure, based on the unpredictability of the virus and how it can affect a certain position. This is certainly a good year to have some depth with players. It does make us feel better in practice when we're distributing the reps among 1s and 2s. We've [also] included the 3s in more reps this year than we have in the past."
Going over the first depth chart, there's a couple of things that jump out. First things first, the Pokes Report projected depth chart from last week is nearly identical to the official depth chart above.
As Mike Gundy mentioned over the past couple of week in the Zoom calls, and as we mentioned in our projected depth chart last week, freshman Brennan Presley has earned some playing time. He's listed behind Dillon Stoner as an 'Or' with Landon Wolf as well as at punt return.
"From day one he's been as advertised,” Gundy said of Brennan Presley. “Ultra-competitive, loves to play football. Fortunately, he's stayed healthy, which is very important for a true freshman if you're going to get on the field. If you get dinged up a little bit and miss 7-10 days, it's extremely difficult to get ready to play. His competitive level and his skill set has allowed him to put himself in position to play in the first game."
Braydon Johnson has earned the top spot in the outside receiver spot opposite of Wallace.
Looking at the offensive line, Teven Jenkins is starting at left tackle, West Virginia transfer Josh Sills is making the start at left guard and redshirt senior Ry Schneider is making the start at center.
The right side of the line is younger as redshirt freshman Cole Birmingham is starting at right guard and redshirt sophomore Hunter Anthony at right tackle.
A welcomed sight of Calvin Bundage as he's listed at the two spot behind Amen Ogbongbemiga and Devin Harper is being Malcolm Rodriguez.
At corner, Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Rodarius Williams are getting the start with Christian Holmes being listed in the two spot at both positions.
Another interesting position is in the secondary. Sophomore Thomas Harper has made the move from corner to safety and is listed in the second spot behind Tanner McCalister at the Strike.
The usual starters are filling the top spot. This year's trio of Spencer Sanders, Chuba Hubbard and Tylan Wallace, as well as Jelani Woods and Dillon Stoner.
As for the specialists, Tom Hutton is returning as the starting punter and as predicted, Alex Hale has the field goal kicking duties with Jake McClure on kick offs.
"I think we have a really good skill set, we have depth, we have maturity, we have players that competed in big time conference games at home, on the road, bowl games,” said coach Gundy. “In my opinion, that's an important ingredient in having a really good season. This year's a little different. Our preparation, like most teams in the country, has been altered at times based on the virus. The health of your football team and now that you throw in the effects of anything that can happen with the virus during the season could play a little bit more of a role, but as we sit now, we're in good shape. My answer to that question would be, as of now I like where we're at with our team, but the healthy and maturity that we have has to stay priority in us for us to be able to continue to have a good season."
