Notes From Oklahoma State’s First Depth Chart of 2024

Football is so close to being back that the Cowboys have a depth chart.

Oklahoma State on Thursday released its first two-deep depth chart of the 2024 season. Here’s a look at that first depth chart with notes on what stood out.

#OKState’s first depth chart of 2024 is here. Will have a story with more notes shortly. pic.twitter.com/amEPGiv3OC

— Dekota Gregory (@dekotagregory) August 22, 2024

Linebacker Surprises

It’s been a question since spring camp how Kendal Daniels and Collin Oliver would technically be listed for the Cowboys.

Daniels has played safety his first two seasons at OSU, but with his massive frame, OSU coach Mike Gundy mentioned this spring that Daniels could start playing “closer to the ball.” As for Oliver, he has become a hybrid, bouncing between the defensive line and linebacker the past three seasons, but at Big 12 Media Days he referred to himself as “edge rusher” when Marshall asked Oliver what to call him.

On OSU’s online roster, Daniels is still listed as a safety, but on the first depth chart of the season, he joins Oliver and Nick Martin as Nos. 1 at linebacker. Another surprise at linebacker is Gannon transfer Obi Ezeigbo, who has spent his entire career on the defensive line to this point. Other backup linebackers include former Tulsa transfer Justin Wright and Jeff Roberson.

QB Battle

No, it’s not the three-quarterback rotation fiasco OSU had this time last year, but there’s still an “or” at QB.

Garrett Rangel and Zane Flores are both listed as possible backups behind Alan Bowman. Rangel, a redshirt sophomore, was part of the battle for QB1 last season, which Bowman ultimately won. Flores redshirted last season in his first year on campus. Flores has had a lot of hype since even last year, though, and Gundy even said at OSU’s media day of Flores, “I think he’s ready now, he’s just not experienced.” 

However, with OSU starting off the season against back-to-back FCS champion South Dakota State and SEC foe Arkansas, barring injury, it will probably be a bit before we see who Gundy trots out there to relieve Bowman. But if experience is all that Flores is missing, then that first opportunity would be the only way for him to gain it.

Ollie’s No. 2

Gundy has made it clear he wants to lighten Ollie Gordon’s load this season, so there are carries out there for the taking when Gordon needs a breather.

At least to start the season, redshirt freshman Sesi Vailahi is listed as the No. 2 at running back. Behind Vailahi is Indiana transfer Trent Howland.

Vailahi and Howland bring two very different physical traits and running styles, though, so who relieves Gordon could also be situational. Vailahi, a 5-9, 200-pound redshirt freshman, would be more like lightning to Gordon’s thunder. Howland, though, at 6-3 and 240 pounds, would double the thunder in the Cowboys’ backfield.

The Lone Freshman

The only true freshman listed on the first depth chart is tight end Josh Ford, who currently shares the No. 2 spot with redshirt senior Quinton Stewart behind Ohio transfer Tyler Foster.

Ford was a three-star prospect out of Stillwater High School before enrolling early at OSU last spring. Already listed at 6-6 and 245 pounds, even before a year in the Glass Factory, Gundy was impressed early by Ford’s physicality during spring ball.

Who Will Be Returning After Presley?

To no surprise, longtime return man Brennan Presley is listed as OSU’s guy for both kickoff and punt returns. He has two different backups, though, and as a little bit of a shock, neither is speedy Oklahoma transfer Gavin Freeman, who returned for the Sooners the past two seasons.

Cale Cabbiness is listed behind Presley at kick return, while Kyler Pearson is at punt return. Freeman, though, is Presley’s No. 2 at the slot position.