Oklahoma State Leaning on Unlikely Options at TE After Opt Outs, Injuries Decimate Depth Chart

STILLWATER — If you see tight ends Quinton Stewart or Grayson Brousseau walking to class wrapped in bubble wrap this week, just know that the Cowboys are truly that thin at the position these days.

“If we have one sprained ankle, there’s a lot of packages we can’t even play, and you’re going to waste a lot of practice reps,” interim coach Doug Meacham said. “If we could put another guy out there and kinda decrease that opportunity of getting one of the tight ends hurt, we’re doing it for that reason.

“Because if you have a two-tight-end package, and you practice it 30 reps that week, and one guy sprains an ankle pregame, then you just wasted a lot of time. So I think we’re trying to do that to protect those guys.”

Stewart and Brousseau played 51% and 35% of offensive snaps in the last two games, respectively. An injury at Oregon makes it tough to evaluate how much Stewart should have played in the first four games. He played 47% against UT-Martin, but only 11% against Baylor, his first game back.

Although he was probably always going to have a role somewhere between those extremes, the same can’t be said for Brousseau, who transferred in during the offseason following a redshirt year at Utah State.

Through the first four games, Brousseau’s high point came when he played 13% of snaps at Oregon, likely because of Stewart’s injury.

“I thought he’s handled it incredibly well,” Stewart said. “I really appreciate Grayson. His personality, he’s really fun to play with. … I think he’s really stepped up.”

Both guys are seeing the field so much following the departure of tight end Josh Ford, who announced his decision to redshirt and transfer last week after missing the trip to Arizona. Of course, Ford isn’t the only tight end who decided to redshirt this fall.

“It’s been tough losing Josh and then Will (Monney) redshirting,” Stewart said. “Because we’re pretty tight as a room, but at the end of the day we’re still going to go out every day at practice and continue to do what we do.”

During fall camp, it felt like Stewart might have his work cut out for him to just be the fourth tight end option this season. North Texas transfer Oscar Hammond suffered a long-lasting injury before the season ever began.

Meacham said the best way to handle the suddenly thin position is to use fewer formations that require both guys during practice and games. It sounds like he might lean into packages that feature extra receivers or even a second running back to take some of the load off those guys.

“Just great kids, great attitudes,” Meacham said. “Love them to death. Q, I’ve never not seen that kid smile, I mean, and he just cracks me up, because he just looks like that quintessential, like frat kid, just enjoying life every day, loves college. You know, he’s just such a great kid, man, and he’s a good player. And, you know, he’s nicked up a little bit, but he’s playing through it. I think he’s getting better as we move forward, but I enjoy coaching, being around that kid.”

Stewart acknowledged it can be tough “having two guys pretty much take all the reps” but credited his position coach, DJ Tialavea, with keeping the room in good spirits.

“Just having him be the rock in the room, it has been awesome,” Stewart said. “He still makes it fun to go out and work every day.”

Despite only seeing the field for four games, plus one snap at Oregon, Stewart has played 104 offensive snaps this season. Perhaps the best way to explain how unusual that is for him is to consider the fact that he only saw the field for 191 total offensive plays from 2020-24.

Although Stewart had a front row seat to some incredible moments since his arrival in Stillwater, he hasn’t been a part of most of them, though he did record a 2-yard touchdown catch against OU in 2022.

Others might feel cheated to have their opportunity come when the program finds itself in such a downturn, but Stewart remained positive throughout interviews on Monday.

“It is quite a bit different (from other seasons), but like I said, I’m thankful for every experience I have with college football,” Stewart said. “I love it, and I wish I had more.”