Spring Retrospective: Defensive Line Remains a Strength for the Cowboys

Even with the loss of newly named Miami Dolphin, Vincent Taylor, the Cowboys’ defensive line remains as deep and talent-rich as any Mike Gundy has had. Joe Bob Clements has been quietly killing it both in recruiting and in player development over the last four-plus years.

The secret is out. Oklahoma State has been pretty good up front the last 2-3 years. Clements’ group is the subject of our next edition of Spring Retrospective.

Summary

Oklahoma State started experimenting with a three-down defense towards the end of last season. The results were good enough for Mike Gundy to bring in former NFL and NCAA defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder an defensive analyst to assist in the installation of a whole new defensive scheme.

But this change is more diversification than metamorphosis. Gundy and defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer plan on alternating between the three-man and four-man fronts based on need. Anything that can gain him a leg up against some of the offenses the Big 12 boasts is welcomed by Spencer.

“In all of our personnel packages, we’ve got a few guys that are doing multiple things,” said Spencer. “So it’s really not anything drastic. We’ve got the ability to put a different 11 out their in three of four situations. I think it gives some people some more problems.”

The use of multiple schemes is only made possible because of a deep and versatile group of linemen.

Biggest news

Other than the news about alternating schemes, the Cowboys also officially learned that defensive end Jordan Brailford would be granted a medical hardship waiver for 2016, when he was sidelined with a stress fracture. This effectively gives Brailford a second redshirt season meaning the fourth-year Cowboy has two years of eligibility remaining.

“Last year, we were fortunate to play two groups up front and stay fresh,” said Gundy. “I think we’re going to have that luxury (this year), knock on wood. If (Jordan) Brailford continues to progress and stay healthy, he could be quite an impact player for us on the pass rush. When we can keep a group of four fresh, we’re going to be a much better team. That was something we lacked here for a number of years.”

Another bit of news comes in the position change along the line. Defensive end Trey Carter made the move to the interior to play defensive tackle. With Brailford returning (fingers crossed that his recent apparent shoulder surgery is a minor repair), the Cowboys have four 4-3 ends that could start on Saturdays.

Plus, with Vincent Taylor and Mote Maile moved on from Stillwater, there will be some more room on the inside. The biggest reason for the change is Carter’s bulking up nearly 40 pounds to 295.

Darrion Daniels has been a difference maker since Day 1 and should have every chance to earn starter’s reps. Mixed in will be DeQuinton Osborne, Carter, Taaj Bakari and redshirt freshman Cameron Murray.

Vili Leveni has played both tackle and end and would probably just like to finally stay healthy for his final year of eligibility. Look for him to be used a lot in three-down sets.

Camp star

With such a deep group, it’s hard to pick just one star for all of camp but Cole Walterscheid was the most effective during the culminating spring exhibition game. He had three solo tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss for the orange team.

Walterschied should have a say in who starts at the end position. The redshirt junior who broke out last fall should be a cornerstone of the defense moving forward.

Projected Depth Chart

In a league like this, the fresh legs that this type of depth brings can pay dividends in November.

Here’s a look at the depth chart for each spot heading into summer.