It Sounds Like the Cowboys Hit on FCS Transfer Offensive Lineman Shaun Torgeson

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STILLWATER — If you listened to Eric Morris at all this offseason, you’d know a big thing he was looking for when basically building the roster from scratch was experience — at any level.

And it seems like experience has been a valuable asset for Morris for some time. Going back to his last two North Texas teams, Morris’ premier tight ends were both transfers from from the Division-II ranks in Tre Williams (Limestone University) and Oscar Hammond (UCO).

Well, early returns might suggest that seeking experience worked out again for Morris with the addition of Shaun Torgeson this offseason.

Torgeson brings both youth and experience to the Cowboys’ offensive line room. Only a redshirt sophomore, he started 14 games at Portland State (FCS) across the past two seasons, including all dozen of the Vikings’ games last season at left tackle.

He also got a mention on The Athletic’s “Freaks” list in the section breaking down OSU receiver Justin Bowick.

“Shaun Torgeson, a 6-4, 302-pound O-line transfer from Portland State who bench-pressed over 500 pounds and broad-jumped more than 9 feet, also merited strong consideration.” — The Athletic

Just for reference, 9 feet is the length of a standard pool table, and 500 pounds is about the weight of an adult male tiger. And Torgeson weighs 302 pounds. That’s not normal.

For his first year at the FBS level, it sounds as if Torgeson is on the outside looking in of OSU’s opening day starting lineup, but not by a ton.

OSU offensive coordinator Sean Brophy discussed Torgeson’s elevation from FCS to FBS this offseason.

“He’s been great,” Brophy said. “He’s been great. Physically, he dominated this summer in our offseason workout program with Coach (Bryan) Kegans (OSU’s strength coach) and has done a phenomenal job and has done a really nice job through camp so far.

“Been a really pleasant surprise, not that we didn’t have high expectations, but I think the consistency from him, obviously I think he’s getting more and more comfortable with where we’ve got him but is somebody that’s really come on and is pushing those guys, too. He’s a great, great option for us in there.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Torgeson played 788 offensive snaps at Portland State last season (all at left tackle). In 412 Allowed Pressure Opportunities (non-spike, non-penalty snaps when participating as a pass blocker), Torgeson allowed two sacks, four QB hits and 15 hurries while his pass blocking graded out above 80 in six of his dozen games. Torgeson finished with a 97.2 in pass-blocking efficiency, which measures pressures allowed on a per-snap basis with weight toward sacks allowed.

At this point in fall camp, it seems as if the Cowboys’ opening day offensive line will include some combination of Jacob Sexton (Oklahoma transfer), Ashton Lepo (Michigan State), Johnny Dickson III (North Texas), Joseph Hanson (Coastal Carolina), Desmond Magiya (North Texas) and Tyler Mercer (Kansas).

But three of those guys are redshirt seniors, Hanson is a true senior and Magiya is a redshirt junior. So, having an experienced young guy who’s a bit of a physical freak in the position room sounds only like a good thing for the Cowboys.