Mike Yurcich: ‘Mason’s Our Leader, He’s a Great Leader’

J.W. Walsh is gone from Oklahoma State and unfortunately he’s never coming back. We don’t know yet who’s going to replace him (although it sounds like it could literally be anyone). We do know, though, who will lead the troops this fall. Mike Yurcich talked about that recently.

“Nothing’s really changed,” said Yurcich. “Mason’s our leader. He’s a great leader. We’re hitting on all cylinders. Obviously he brought a lot to the table, but we have tremendous confidence in Mason and what he brings and that’s been the case since he’s been the starter here.”

As for that backup position? Yeah, murky.

“Mason’s getting all the reps with the ones, obviously,” said Yurcich. “Then we’re making it 50-50 with the twos. [John] Kolar is rolling in with Taylor [Cornelius] and those guys are battling it out for the backup position.”

David Glidden actually told me and Carson on our podcast last week that Cornelius might be the most underrated QB he’s played with.

Rudolph is (and has been) playing the part of QB1 in Stillwater.

“It’s kind of like a Christmas Eve feeling,” Rudolph told the O’Colly last week about getting back to spring ball. “I joked around with the quarterbacks and coach (Mike) Yurcich, and I know that’s how he feels. He’s fired up and ready to go. It started off on a good note today. It’s a little strange; already being a junior and this is my fifth semester. It’s exciting, though. I’m ready to knock out this spring and start playing football again. It’s been a long offseason, and we’ve missed it.”

It really is weird that Rudolph only has 26 (27? 28? 29? 30?) games left in his career (I’m going to feel so old when he graduates). But I’m excited about his first full season as the guy in this program. It’s clear he is too.