Notebook: Chuba’s Workload, Presley’s Competitiveness and O-Line Youth

Mike Gundy’s weekly media availability Monday morning brought with it a lot of excitement with the 2020 season just days away.

Here is a little more of an in-depth look at three of Gundy’s talking points.

No carry limit for Hubbard

A lot was made of recent carry limits OSU running backs were tagged with, but it sounds like Chuba Hubbard will still get as many as needed in 2020.

Hubbard touted the rock 328 times last season. That’s the most in program history since 1988. It averages out to 25.2 times a game, but in Big 12 games, Hubbard averaged 27 carries a game.

He had outings of 37 carries, 34 carries and two of 32 carries.

On Monday, Gundy said he wouldn’t prefer Hubbard getting 30 touches a game, but if that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes.

“He’s gonna get his carries,” Gundy said. “We’ll base it on how he feels throughout the game, but I would hope that he wouldn’t have to carry it 30 times a game, but if he does for us to be successful on offense, and he feels good, then we’ll continue to give it to him.”

Presley an example of heart over height

At 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, Brennan Presley is tied as the shortest and lightest player on OSU’s 130-man roster, but that doesn’t seem to matter.

Presley was one of two true freshmen to appear on OSU’s inaugural two-deep Monday morning, being listed as a backup at slot receiver and punt returner.

The reigning Gatorade Player of the Year and do-it-all superstar from Bixby High continues to prove naysayers wrong in regards to his size.

“From Day 1, he’s been as advertised: ultra-competitive, loves to play football,” Gundy said. “Fortunately, he’s stayed healthy, which is very important for a true freshman if you’re gonna get on the field. If you get dinged up a little bit and miss seven to 10 days, it’s extremely difficult to get ready to play. His competitive level, his skillset and his health has allowed him to put himself in position to play in the first game.

“[His size] hasn’t been an issue with us at all. Again, I go back to his competitive nature and his willingness to do whatever it takes to be successful, and he overcomes his size. For us, we haven’t seen it become a factor in our practices.”

Youthful O-Line

The big talking points on the two-deep of OSU’s offensive line involved Cole Birmingham and Hunter Anthony on the right side. Those two weren’t expected starters a few months ago, but after an early retirement and a transfer, here they are.

“I see that they’re young, and they’re learning on the run,” Gundy said of the two. “We have moved some guys around, so we might balance that out based on where we’re at as the game moves on. I mentioned this last week, I have a lot of confidence in Coach [Kasey] Dunn and Coach [Charlie] Dickey to find the formula that best fits our style of play and what we’re trying to get accomplished each week, based on the attack we need to have success on the offensive side of the ball.”

Of the 10 offensive linemen on OSU’s two-deep, just three [Teven Jenkins, Josh Sills and Ry Schneider] are upperclassmen.

It leaves quite a development job for Charlie Dickey in a position group that goes through its share of injuries in a normal year, not to mention the possibilities of COVID-19 messing things up.

Listed backups at each position are Taylor Miterko (LT), Hunter Woodard (LG), Tyrese Williams (C), Preston Wilson (LG) and Jake Springfield (LT).