Israel Antwine Will Be ‘Huge’ for OSU This Fall Says Jim Knowles

Much has been made about the lack of returning experience along Oklahoma State’s defensive front — and for good reason. The Cowboys are without all six D-linemen from last year’s roster that had started a game, including all-Big 12 first team selection and sack leader Jordan Brailford.

But don’t tell that to defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. He’s feeling pretty good about his defensive front despite the turnover.

During Monday’s media golf availability, Knowles was asked which position groups’ depth he’s worried about, and D-line was not one of them.

“Even though we lost a bunch of guys up front, I think the depth there is very good,” said Knowles. “We’re gonna play a lot of guys.”

One of those guys who figures to not only play, but take on a featured role in the trenches is Colorado transfer Israel Antwine.

Knowles called his impact on the upcoming season “huge” and not just because the Millwood (Oklahoma City) product measures in at 6 foot 4 and 295 pounds, and is the type of specimen that fellow lineman Brock Martin called a “freak of nature” this spring.

Knowles bragged mainly about Antwine’s intangibles that saw him start in the Pac-12 last season.

“He is a guy who has experience, has done it,” Knowles said. “He’s very consistent. He’s a quiet kid, but he’ll give you everything. We have a really good, solid character kid. He can step right in and play.”

Defensive line coach Greg Richmond, a fellow OKC native, echoed that sentiment.

“It’s been great. He’s been a great addition to us,” said Richmond. “He fits right into our culture and the way we do things. He’s a tough, hard-nosed young man. And most importantly, he’s out of Oklahoma City.”

The addition of Antwine and graduate transfer Kyle Junior, who started on the interior line for Bowling Green, shores up a defensive tackle group that lost Darrion Daniels, Trey Carter and Enoch Smith. Those three combined for 26 starts, 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2018.

Injecting that type of know-how into his defense is invaluable to Knowles.

“Guys who have experience playing football at a high level who can come in and physically handle the game at the line of scrimmage,” Knowles said. “It doesn’t matter how spread out the game is, there’s still that hand-to-hand combat and that physicality that goes on between the tackles and at the line of scrimmage. That’s why it’s hard for young defensive linemen to play because they need time to develop that.

“I love the fact that these guys come in with experience. They’re strong and physically developed, and they’re ready to put right into the line.”