Spring Preview: Oklahoma State Has Several Options at Tight End

One significant difference on the Cowboys’ spring roster is the absence of an entire position group. Oklahoma State created the “Cowboy Back” position in 2015 with the onboarding of position coach Jason McEndoo. It was a hybrid group of tight ends and fullbacks meant to create a mismatch for opposing defenses.

The idea was sound. A fullback who could catch passes. A tight end who could block. But in practice, there were still the fullbacks and the tight ends inhabiting the same group. And according to Mike Gundy, the Cowboys have split the hybrid group up to focus on improving a run game that was woeful last year.

Regardless of the reason, that group is no longer listed on the roster after eight years. Now it’s back to tight ends and fullbacks, with some of the more finesse pass-catching Cowboy Backs, like Blaine Green, headed back to the receivers room. The more bruising blockers were sent back to the fullback room.

So for the first time in nearly a decade, let’s take a look at the Cowboys’ tight ends.

Be sure you check out our previous spring position groups: QB | RB | WR

Who’s Gone

Other than Braden Cassity and Jake Schultz, who are now fullbacks, every TE/CW that caught a pass last season is still on the roster.

Who’s Back

The Cowboys return Tabry Shettron, the brother of touted wideout Talyn, but he didn’t record any stats as a freshman last year. He seems like he might have some upside as a pass-catcher, though. Also back is Quinton Stewart, who played in 11 games but caught just one pass.

Who’s Entering the Mix

Oklahoma State gained UMass transfer Josiah Johnson by way of the portal. The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder played significant reps the last four seasons. As a senior last year, he made 24 catches for 163 yards.

OSU also added 6-foot-5, 272-pound Ian Edenfield from California University of Pennsylvania, a DII school. He played at tight end for the Vulcans for four seasons and had another canceled due to Covid. Edendield appeared in 10 games last year, starting three, and recorded 153 receiving yards and a score on 18 catches.

Of note, the Cowboys also welcomed in-state product Bryce Drummond from North Texas. The Pawhuska native started his career as a quarterback for the Mean Green before appearing on special teams in 12 games as a sophomore last season. He’s the son of Food Network personality Ree Drummond.

Spring Depth Chart Prediction

There’s a lot we still don’t know about the Cowboys’ tight end personnel but here’s how things might shake out this spring.

TE1: Tabry Shetton
TE2: Josiah Johnson
TE3: Quinton Stewart
TE4: Ian Edenfield

Tight End Outlook

The only returning tight end on OSU’s spring roster to register a catch is Quinton Stewart. He had one catch for two friggin yards last year. But there is some incoming productive experience in Johnson and Edenfield and some potential returning in Shettron.

To be honest, this depth chart should probably be linked with ORs, but I’ll just throw out my initial thoughts based on what little we know at this point. It will be interesting to see how (and how much) the Cowboys feature the position in their offense next year.