100 Days of Summer: Get to Know No. 1 Calvin Bundage

Well, this is it. The very last of our 100 Days of Summer series. Which means that football starts tomorrow (!) It should be a fun season, so let’s finish this thing off right with returning sophomore Calvin Bundage, who made a splash in his first year and could make himself a household name over the next four months.

How he got to OSU

The three-star stud out of Edmond-Santa Fe, was the No. 3-rated prospect from the state of Oklahoma and the No. 28 outside linebacker in the class. He chose Oklahoma State over offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas A&M and Arkansas. Bundage was the jewel of Mike Gundy’s 2016 class and in turn found playing time immediately.

What he’s done in Stillwater

Bundage saw time in OSU’s season opener as a true freshman, pitching in for three solo tackles against Southeastern Louisiana. He appeared in 11 games and led all true freshmen with 13 total tackles.

Role in 2017

Glenn Spencer tabbed junior Kenneth Edison-McGruder and Bundage his 1A and 1B at Star linebacker, calling them possibly his best position group on defense.

“Both of those guys are going to play a lot,” said Spencer “and if I’m smart I’ll probably have a package where I get them both on the field at the same time.”

After a full offseason to install a three-down scheme in addition to OSU’s traditional four-down, the Star backer role will be even more important. Versatility is key and guys like Bundage and Edison-McGruder possess the ability to cover the slot receiver/tight end, support the run and blitz.

Noteworthy stats and highlights

Against TCU, he recorded a career-high four total tackles and one tackle for loss.

Bundage showed his willingness for contact in the first tackle of his career with this unconventional tackling style. I’d say “car crash” is as good as any to describe it.

But it’s plays like this that you like even more if your a coach.

Bundage reads the the play call beautifully and acts quickly and decisively, splitting two blockers and pushing Kyle Hicks out of bounds for a loss of four yards.