Depth Chart Projection: Breaking Down Oklahoma State’s Offense Entering Fall Camp

The long summer is winding down, and fall camp starts Wednesday.

Yes, Wednesday.

As Oklahoma State readies for its 2023 season, here is a look at what I think the Cowboys’ depth chart could looks like entering fall camp. OSU kicks off the year with Central Arkansas on Sept. 2, so things could obviously change a month from now. And that’s not even to mention that I probably won’t bat 1.000 entering fall camp.

With the caveats aside, here is what I think OSU’s offense looks like (we’ll do defense Tuesday):

Quarterback

QB1 — Alan Bowman (redshirt senior)
QB2 — Garret Rangel (redshirt freshman)

Although this is still an open competition entering fall camp, Alan Bowman feels the heavy favorite. The Texas Tech/Michigan transfer has a ton of experience in different styles. Need a guy who can sling it in a spread offense? Bowman did that at Tech. Need a guy who can control a game under center? Bowman got that experience on two College Football Playoff teams at Michigan.

I am, though, excited to see how far along Garret Rangel and Gunnar Gundy have come. The two got thrown to the wolves last season when Spencer Sanders went down with injury. With that experience in mind, I’m intrigued with how much they grew this offseason.

Running Back

RB1 — Ollie Gordon (sophomore)
RB2 — Jaden Nixon (redshirt sophomore) or Elijah Collins (redshirt senior)

Instead of RB1 or RB2, this should almost be percentages of carries because I think all three of these backs will work together this fall. It’s a good mix of styles with Ollie Gordon bringing the thunder at 6-foot-1, 211 pounds, Jaden Nixon bringing the lightning with his see-you-later speed and Elijah Collins being somewhere in the middle at a shifty 6-0, 220.

It has the looks of a good group, but it’s somewhat unproven at this point with the trio totaling 178 carries last season. Collins does have some experience as a featured back. He had 222 carries in 2019 but has averaged just 43 the past three seasons because of injury. And that’s not to mention him stepping into a new squad.

Wide Receiver

WR1s — Jaden Bray (redshirt sophomore), Brennan Presley (senior), Blaine Green (redshirt sophomore), De’Zhaun Stribling (junior)
WR2s — Talyn Shettron (redshirt freshman), Arland Bruce (junior), Rashod Owens (redshirt junior), Leon Johnson (senior)

Like with the running backs, expect all of these guys to get some run in 2023. It’s a new-look group where even some returning faces feel new. Jaden Bray and Blaine Green combined for five catches (all from Bray) all of last season with both dealing with injuries.

Among the newcomers (Stribling, Bruce and Johnson), Stribling has garnered the most hype through spring ball. Listed at 6-3, 205, Stribling had 1,073 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons at Washington State. But Bruce and Johnson each bring interesting aspects with Bruce being a dynamic slot guy and Johnson being a towering 6-foot-5.

And there always seems to be a freshman receiver turn heads in the offseason. Last year, Kasey Dunn raved about Stephon Johnson’s fall camp, and Johnson ended up showing what all the hubbub was about toward the end of the year. So be mindful if you hear names like Tykie Andrews, Camron Heard or Jalen Pope before the season gets going.

Offensive Line

LT1 — Dalton Cooper (redshirt senior)
LT2 — Jack Endean (freshman)

LG1 — Jason Brooks (redshirt junior)
LG2 — Taylor Miterko (redshirt senior)

C1 — Joe Michalski (redshirt senior)
C2 — Austin Kawecki (redshirt freshman)

RG1 — Preston Wilson (redshirt senior)
RG2 — Cole Birmingham (redshirt senior)

RT1 — Jake Springfield (redshirt senior)
RT2 — Calvin Harvey (redshirt freshman)

A position group that is rarely sexy to break down but always means a ton. The 2022 season was another of injuries and “musical chairs” up front, so here is to hoping the Cowboys’ O-line can stay healthy and productive in 2023.

My biggest points of interest come at center and the return of Cole Birmingham. Starting with the center spot, Preston Wilson took a majority of his snaps at center last season but transitioned more to guard in the spring while Michalski made a move from guard to center. And that’s while we’ve heard rumblings of the upside of youngster Austin Kawecki.

Birmingham missed last season with an injury but started all 14 games of the 2021 season, starting at both guard and tackle during the year. If there’s someone I have listed as a two that I think could crack into the opening day lineup, it’d be Birmingham and it could come at a variety of positions. It might’ve been more accurate to list Birmingham at LT2, LG2, RG2 and RT2.

Tight End

TE1 — Josiah Johnson (redshirt senior)
TE2 — Quinton Stewart (redshirt junior)

No longer lumped together with the fullbacks under the moniker of “Cowboy back,” tight ends are their own thing again. The Cowboys brought in Josiah Johnson from UMass this offseason after Johnson caught 50 passes for 465 yards and five touchdowns in the past four seasons.

Stewart has bided his time. A member of the 2020 recruiting class, Stewart has caught one college pass — a two-yard touchdown against OU last season.

Full Back

FB1 — Braden Cassity (redshirt senior)
FB2 — Jake Schultz (redshirt senior)

The fullback side of the old Cowboy backs, Braden Cassity and Jake Schultz each made starts last season. With OSU expected to play a little more under center than in previous seasons, a lot of lead blocking could be up to Cassity and Schultz this season.