Storyline Countdown No. 8: Who Will Be ‘The Guy’ on Defense?

PFB’s countdown to football season by counting down the 15 most intriguing storylines continues today with a look at the No. 8 storyline we’re tracking going into 2018.

Storyline rank: No. 8
Storyline: Who will be “The Guy” on defense?

Why this matters: It’s a new era in Oklahoma State defense. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is in with his 4-2-5 scheme. The Cowboys will also be without experienced leaders such as Chad Whitener, Tre Flowers and Ramon Richards, leaving holes in production and on-field guidance.

How it could play out: The Cowboys bring some experience to their defensive front, and leading candidates for “The Guy” include Calvin Bundage, Justin Phillips, Jordan Brailford, Kenneth Edison-McGruder and Darrion Daniels.

Phillips is the team’s leading returner in tackles, as he racked up 64 is 2017. Brailford had 57 tackles last season, including five sacks. Bundage always makes for a good highlight reel and had 54 tackles and three sacks in 2017.

Mike Gundy’s thoughts: With talk of quarterbacks, the Knowles and his new scheme, freshmen, his abundance of running backs, and his new TV, Gundy hasn’t been asked too much about specific guys on defense. However, at OSU’s media day, Gundy did mention how well he thinks Kenneth Edison-McGruder would fit into the new scheme.

“Kenneth has made changes and if someone were to say you had to pick one player on the defense that this adjustment would fit best, it would be him,” Gundy said. “He went through a period of time last year where he was in a position that was hard for him to play based on his ability, his strengths. He’s now in a role that should really fit his style of play and his strengths and what he brings to the table. It just proves that when I watch him, it proves how powerful the mental approach to the game is. He feels good about his role. As I just sit back and watch it from a distance, in my opinion, a completely different person now than he was. Just because he thinks and feels like he fits this. This is perfect for me. He’s done really well. His attitude’s been great. He’s one of the guy’s I am excited about watching because his role has changed and really fits his style of play.”

My thoughts: At times last year, I thought Bundage’s aggressiveness got the best of him, but Knowles’ 4-2-5 seems to award aggression. On Aug. 14, Bundage said he has an option to blitz “almost every play.”

I think Bundage will be the fan-favorite with his high-impact plays, but I think Phillips will be the guy who holds it all together this year. Also, look out for A.J. Green, who had four picks last season, as he is prepped for another solid season.

Previous Countdowns

No. 15: How will OSU use all its running backs in 2018?
No. 14: Will Rodarius Williams and A.J. Green have to play as much as they did in 2017?
No. 13: Is Tyron Johnson the X-Factor for OSU?
No. 12: Which Cowboy Back Will Emerge for OSU?
No. 11: How does a reloading year shape expectations?
No. 10: Why is Mike Yurcich not more beloved in Stillwater?
No. 9: How much better will the offensive line be in 2018?