Five Things to Watch at OSU’s Spring Football Game

Oklahoma State’s Orange vs. Black spring game on Saturday will give us a glimpse — if only briefly — into how the football team this fall looks in its current iteration. It’s a chance to get a first-hand view of some interesting position battles and other developments, so of course after a long spring camp, it is a welcome development.

Here are five things I’m looking forward to learning about.

1. Who steps up at WR?

The buzz about town right now is that Brennan Presley is some version of Justin Blackmon, Tavon Austin and Randy Moss. He’s making all the plays all the time. A true electric factory. I’m pumped to see how my WR1 shares in him have grown. I’m equally pumped to see the rest of the bunch. Tay Martin seems like he might be a full-blown dude, Braydon Johnson is reaching Perry Ellis-levels of reliability and steadiness and then there’s Langston Anderson, Matt Polk, Rashod Owens, John Paul Richardson who I am itching to see.

Will the game be an indicator of what next season looks like? Probably not! I vividly remember Philip Redwine-Bryant going off one spring game and giving me some serious Rashaun Woods vibes. But will be very cool to see some playmakers … make plays … in this setting.

2. Running back rotation

No Chuba, which means we’re in for a new starter at running back this season. Most likely, we’re in for some sort of rotation. And that will likely be comprised of several guys who have not played a ton, like Dominic Richardson, Dezmon Jackson and Utah State transfer Jaylen Warren.

LD Brown figures to be the head honcho of the bunch, of course. But he’s likely not going to take a feature role in a spring game because he’s got more reps than anyone. So Saturday will give us a good feel for how the rest of the room might look. My favorite one to watch will be Jaylen Warren, given he’s a true newbie who has yet to take an OSU snap.

“I think you guys will enjoy, he’s not an early entry guy, but he’s a transfer, I think you’ll enjoy watching [Jaylen Warren], the transfer running back,” Gundy said this week. “I think you’ll enjoy watching him.”

3. Spencer Sanders and the QBs

Of course we’re watching this. This would be the perfect time for Spencer Sanders to make “the leap.” To go from very good to potentially great. It sounds like during camp he’s shown flashes, so watching him go against OSU’s defense will be fun. It’ll also be fun to see Shane Illingworth as he continues to develop, Ethan Bullock in Year Two and — of course — Gunnar Gundy (if he gets reps). I am very much here for Gunnar being allowed exactly one pass attempt, which is a 50-yard bomb to Brennan Presley that generates so much buzz the electricity in BPS flickers off. Please make this happen. The hyperbolic blog I would write!

4. Young linebackers

The knowns are known: Devin Harper, Malcolm Rodriguez. But there’s lots of excitement in the unknowns at this position group, particularly with the youth, which is expected to get plenty of reps Saturday.

Na’Drian Dizadare is maybe my favorite sleeper to watch. But Mason Cobb is emerging as a potential second-year star, I’ve heard Jeff Roberson’s name a few times and then there’s Nikolas Martin, Kam Farrar and Lamont Bishop all oozing with upside. Losing Amen Ogbongbemiga from the heart of the defense stings but this group is very exciting with talent young and old.

5. Charlie Dickey’s bunch

Because of injury misfortunes and even an unexpected retirement, OSU’s offensive line struggled at times last season. Yet even losing Teven Jenkins, I have irrational confidence that Charlie Dickey is going to turn this group into a team strength.

Getting Josh Sills back makes one feel that way, naturally. But there’s plenty of other experienced and proven players returning including Jake Springfield, Danny Godlevske, Hunter Woodard, Tyrese Williams and Preston Wilson.

There’s also Cade Bennett, Cole Birmingham, Hunter Anthony, Taylor Miterko and …. yeah, you get the picture. Health willing, this unit is going to be bigly in 2021. Sign me up for a Saturday of this bunch just mauling OSU’s defensive line. (Safely, plz.)