STILLWATER — The Sherman Smith Training Center will be buzzing Wednesday afternoon with Oklahoma State taking the field for the first football practice of the 2024 season.
With a wealth of returning players coming back from a 10-win season, excitement is high in the Cowboy locker room, with thoughts of unfinished business after last year’s loss in the Big 12 Championship Game.
With the season opener against South Dakota State a month away, the Cowboys will embark on a preseason camp that will be mostly about polishing the details that can elevate last year’s team into a legit contender for the 12-team playoff.
Here’s a look at five key questions for the Cowboys as they open preseason camp:
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Are there any position battles of note?
Very few. Depending on how you measure a returning starter, the Cowboys have somewhere between 18 and 20 of them, between regular starters, those who were lost to injury in the middle of last season or their replacements.
That doesn’t mean nothing is on the line.
The defensive line has a starting hole to fill, but also needs to build its depth and flesh out the rotation.
The receiver group is much the same. It doesn’t really have any starting vacancies with the return of Brennan Presley, De’Zhaun Stribling and Rashod Owens, but perhaps a new face could emerge as the fourth receiver. Developing the second string is the most important task there, considering the backups are inexperienced or new to the program, like transfers Da’Wain Lofton and Gavin Freeman.
The safety positions are unique in that they have returning starters, but also might have the most notable battles for primary jobs. Several players return with starting experience, from veterans like Trey Rucker and Kendal Daniels to the guys who got thrown into the fire as freshmen last year, Cameron Epps and Dylan Smith.
Plus, Lyrik Rawls is coming back from an ACL injury and Kobe Hylton has joined the mix as a transfer.
On top of that, Daniels is going to get some time working at linebacker, so that creates more playing time for another safety.
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What is the most important area of development in camp?
The biggest need is improved pass rush. That was a key area of focus in spring ball, and will continue to be a focal point until the group proves itself.
As part of the emphasis, Collin Oliver will be aligned more frequently on the line of scrimmage, rather than a few steps off as a traditional linebacker. Oliver is the team’s most dangerous pass rusher, so defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo knows he needs Oliver in pursuit.
Obi Ezeigbo, the transfer from Division II Gannon University, will get his shot to enter the rotation with veterans like Kody Walterscheid and Xavier Ross on the edges.
And with the increased use of four-man fronts, nose tackles Justin Kirkland and Collin Clay will see more snaps where they’re not directly aligned over the center.
On the offensive side, getting tight end Tyler Foster comfortable with the transition from Ohio is a priority, along with the aforementioned development of receiver depth.
Additionally, getting the backup running backs comfortable will be crucial, considering A.J. Green got limited work before suffering a lower leg injury in spring, and Trent Howland only arrived from Indiana in June.
Sesi Vailahi got enough experience while redshirting last year to handle some of the workload, but the Cowboys will need the newcomers to contribute.
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Are there any lingering injury issues for Cowboys?
Green is the most notable injury from spring, though the specifics of his injury have not been made public. He posted a photo of his leg in a cast late last spring.
The Arkansas transfer was viewed as an ideal complement to Ollie Gordon II because of Green’s versatility and experience in handling any situation.
The Cowboys added Howland in the summer, and the 6-foot-3, 240-pound bruiser brings a different element to the group.
As for other injuries, Rawls and offensive lineman Jason Brooks Jr. are coming off ACL injuries, so they might be brought along slowly during the early part of camp.
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How much work will Ollie Gordon II really get in camp?
The reigning Doak Walker Award winner is the source of a never-ending football conundrum, finding the right balance of physical preparation and bodily protection.
Coach Mike Gundy is always working to find the appropriate method, and it’s highly important with Gordon. He avoided major injury last…
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