Oklahoma State University Athletics
2008 OSU Football Preview - Defense
July 30, 2008 | Cowboy Football
One thing is certain about Tim Beckman's second defense at Oklahoma State. It will be different than the first one.
The Cowboys return six starters from the 2007 unit, but OSU also brought in immediate help with the signing of six junior college players on the defensive side. Five of those newcomers arrived in time for spring drills and all had an early impact.
For the second straight season, the Cowboys must rebuild their defensive line as three starters are gone. OSU is also replacing a pair of starting linebackers. But back in the fold is the entire secondary, a young and talented group of defensive linemen and now the junior college help as well.
One thing was clear after spring drills, the Cowboy defense appeared to be much improved from every angle. The speed factor, toughness and confidence all seemed greatly improved. Translating that mindset from the April practice field to fall Saturdays is next on the list.
Defensive End
Coach Glenn Spencer
Gone from the roster are senior defensive ends Nathan Peterson and Marque Fountain. Both were productive multi-year starters and key elements in the most recent Cowboy defenses. Peterson rates among OSU's all-time leaders in quarterback sacks.
But OSU has talent waiting in the wings in junior Derek Burton and sophomore Ugo Chinasa. Those two are penciled in at the top of the depth chart entering fall drills. But other young players, including redshirt freshmen Jamie Blatnick and Richetti Jones, will have their chance as well.
“When Nate and Marque were healthy and fresh they were productive,” said Gundy. “But it was hard to be fresh and healthy playing as much as they were playing.”
Burton is now the upper classman of the defensive ends, entering his junior season. Both he and Chinasa would be first-time starters.
The backups are redshirt freshmen Richetti Jones and Jamie Blatnick.
The wildcard will be junior-college transfer Jeremiah Price, who arrived on campus during the spring.
The Bottom Line: The Cowboys will be young on the edge, but every candidate vying for playing time passes the eye test. Chinasa, Jones and Burton represent some of OSU's biggest recruiting coups over the last two seasons and Blatnick made such a good impression last fall he was nearly pulled out of a redshirt year. The Cowboys could grow into a formidable group on the outside, but the outgoing ends were two of the most experienced players on the 2007 roster.
Defensive Tackle
Coach Glenn Spencer
OSU survived the 2007 season with limited help inside. And part of that survival is thanks to Jeray Chatham. In his first year as a starter, Chatham played in every game, starting 10, and helped solidify OSU in the middle with his 21 tackles. At times the work load placed on Chatham and the graduated Maurice Cummings was staggering.
During the spring, Chatham was a standout on the Cowboy defense and OSU coaches feel he will be an even bigger factor during his senior season.
Entering fall camp, Tonga Tea, Jr., a former junior-college All-American, would be the backup to Chatham, giving OSU some quality and depth in the middle.
The other starting tackle position will be manned by sophomore Quencey Patrick, who got the start in the Insight Bowl.
OSU inked a pair of defensive tackles in December. Junior college transfers Chris Donaldson (a sophomore) and Swanson Miller were enrolled and on campus for spring drills.
Both players figure to give OSU a lift inside. Miller was one of the marquee signatures for the 2008 class.
Another player back in the middle is Shane Jarka, who made the move from end to tackle in August and could be poised to make a move after a year of transition.
The Bottom Line: The defensive interior figures to be better for the Cowboys with more options and size than what defensive coordinator Tim Beckman had at his disposal last season. With Chatham and Tea adding a year of experience, and with the junior-college help, improvement seems imminent.
Linebacker
Coach Tim Beckman
In Beckman's system, the Cowboys now list just two linebacker positions with the third linebacker spot now floating between the linebacker and secondary and referred to as “star”.
And despite the loss of Jeremy Nethon and Donovan Woods, there is a quiet optimism regarding the linebacking corps.
Sexton is a proven commodity at safety and his move to the “star” spot has been a hit. His backup, freshman Deron Fontenot, has also been a pleasant surprise.
“Andre is just about the most experienced defensive player we have,” Gundy said. “Deron just makes plays. Every time we looked up this spring he was making a play. I think you could say he's been a surprise.”
Like Sexton, Fontenot came in as a safety and has flourished in the new role that is part ‘backer, part defensive back.
The anchor of the linebacking corps is Patrick Lavine, who has led OSU in tackles over the two-year period since he arrived on campus. He'll be back for his junior season as a battle-tested linebacker.
Justin Gent and Orie Lemon, two players who have been around the program but have yet to crack the starting lineup, had strong springs and served notice they would be contenders for playing time in the fall.
Senior Seb Clements, who has primarily been a special-teams player in his career, was also a standout during spring drills.
The coaching staff will also welcome Donald Booker in the fall. The last of the junior-college signees, his contributions could be critical for OSU in 2008.
“I think the linebackers can be compared to our group of receivers,” Gundy said. “I think they have a chance to be pretty good as the season develops.”
The Bottom Line: Lavine is a proven commodity and Sexton has shown his ability in the secondary and that duo will serve as the anchor of the Cowboy linebacking corps in 2008. There seems to be depth across the field and the Cowboys look forward to the arrival of Booker in the fall.
Cornerback
Coach Jason Jones
OSU returns a pair of starters at cornerback in Jacob Lacey and Perrish Cox. Also in the hunt for playing time at corner will be Terrance Anderson and Al'Darius Thompson and newcomer Maurice Gray, who arrived in January.
Lacey had his breakout down the stretch of 2007. His play was strong in the spring and the coaches now feel he ranks among the Big 12 Conference's top cornerbacks.
Cox took over for the injured Martel Van Zant last season and started seven games. Anderson got the start in the bowl game and he will be eager to increase his role in 2008.
The Bottom Line: Lacey is a proven commodity and Cox was growing into that role last season. Anderson and Thompson are speedy defenders and Gray showed signs of being a lock-down player during the spring. All in all, the Cowboys figure to be improved at cornerback.
Safety
Coach Joe DeForest
OSU lists Quinton Moore (free) and Ricky Price (strong) as starting safeties entering the fall, but a junior-college All-American is in play here as well in Lucien Antoine.
Antoine is a physical player that made his mark, literally, on several Cowboy receivers in the spring. His play and the play of veteran T.J. Bell were two of top developments coming out of spring drills.
“I don't feel we're as settled here as we are at some of the other positions,” Gundy said. “T.J. Bell really made some strides in the spring and Lucien obviously had an impact as well. We have two veterans back there as well.”
The Bottom Line: Moore and Price are the ranking safeties entering camp, but there seems to be some things still to be decided. A talented influx of safeties could have an impact, but it's unlikely a true freshman will be able to dent the depth chart early on.
Specialists
Coach Joe DeForest
OSU returns one of the nation's top punters in senior Matt Fodge, a three-year starter at long snapper in Zach Allen and its starting placekicker, Dan Bailey, as well. In the fall, the Cowboys will be joined by America's top-rated kicker, Quinn Sharp.
OSU has long been adept at the return game with Perrish Cox already in the OSU record books under several categories and several other candidates anxious for their chance to return as well.
The Bottom Line: Special teams have been a strength for the Cowboys under DeForest. With plenty of returning experience and a roster with a rising talent level, look for that strong play to continue.
The Cowboys return six starters from the 2007 unit, but OSU also brought in immediate help with the signing of six junior college players on the defensive side. Five of those newcomers arrived in time for spring drills and all had an early impact.
For the second straight season, the Cowboys must rebuild their defensive line as three starters are gone. OSU is also replacing a pair of starting linebackers. But back in the fold is the entire secondary, a young and talented group of defensive linemen and now the junior college help as well.
One thing was clear after spring drills, the Cowboy defense appeared to be much improved from every angle. The speed factor, toughness and confidence all seemed greatly improved. Translating that mindset from the April practice field to fall Saturdays is next on the list.
Defensive End
Coach Glenn Spencer
Gone from the roster are senior defensive ends Nathan Peterson and Marque Fountain. Both were productive multi-year starters and key elements in the most recent Cowboy defenses. Peterson rates among OSU's all-time leaders in quarterback sacks.
But OSU has talent waiting in the wings in junior Derek Burton and sophomore Ugo Chinasa. Those two are penciled in at the top of the depth chart entering fall drills. But other young players, including redshirt freshmen Jamie Blatnick and Richetti Jones, will have their chance as well.
“When Nate and Marque were healthy and fresh they were productive,” said Gundy. “But it was hard to be fresh and healthy playing as much as they were playing.”
Burton is now the upper classman of the defensive ends, entering his junior season. Both he and Chinasa would be first-time starters.
The backups are redshirt freshmen Richetti Jones and Jamie Blatnick.
The wildcard will be junior-college transfer Jeremiah Price, who arrived on campus during the spring.
The Bottom Line: The Cowboys will be young on the edge, but every candidate vying for playing time passes the eye test. Chinasa, Jones and Burton represent some of OSU's biggest recruiting coups over the last two seasons and Blatnick made such a good impression last fall he was nearly pulled out of a redshirt year. The Cowboys could grow into a formidable group on the outside, but the outgoing ends were two of the most experienced players on the 2007 roster.
Defensive Tackle
Coach Glenn Spencer
OSU survived the 2007 season with limited help inside. And part of that survival is thanks to Jeray Chatham. In his first year as a starter, Chatham played in every game, starting 10, and helped solidify OSU in the middle with his 21 tackles. At times the work load placed on Chatham and the graduated Maurice Cummings was staggering.
During the spring, Chatham was a standout on the Cowboy defense and OSU coaches feel he will be an even bigger factor during his senior season.
Entering fall camp, Tonga Tea, Jr., a former junior-college All-American, would be the backup to Chatham, giving OSU some quality and depth in the middle.
The other starting tackle position will be manned by sophomore Quencey Patrick, who got the start in the Insight Bowl.
OSU inked a pair of defensive tackles in December. Junior college transfers Chris Donaldson (a sophomore) and Swanson Miller were enrolled and on campus for spring drills.
Both players figure to give OSU a lift inside. Miller was one of the marquee signatures for the 2008 class.
Another player back in the middle is Shane Jarka, who made the move from end to tackle in August and could be poised to make a move after a year of transition.
The Bottom Line: The defensive interior figures to be better for the Cowboys with more options and size than what defensive coordinator Tim Beckman had at his disposal last season. With Chatham and Tea adding a year of experience, and with the junior-college help, improvement seems imminent.
Linebacker
Coach Tim Beckman
In Beckman's system, the Cowboys now list just two linebacker positions with the third linebacker spot now floating between the linebacker and secondary and referred to as “star”.
And despite the loss of Jeremy Nethon and Donovan Woods, there is a quiet optimism regarding the linebacking corps.
Sexton is a proven commodity at safety and his move to the “star” spot has been a hit. His backup, freshman Deron Fontenot, has also been a pleasant surprise.
“Andre is just about the most experienced defensive player we have,” Gundy said. “Deron just makes plays. Every time we looked up this spring he was making a play. I think you could say he's been a surprise.”
Like Sexton, Fontenot came in as a safety and has flourished in the new role that is part ‘backer, part defensive back.
The anchor of the linebacking corps is Patrick Lavine, who has led OSU in tackles over the two-year period since he arrived on campus. He'll be back for his junior season as a battle-tested linebacker.
Justin Gent and Orie Lemon, two players who have been around the program but have yet to crack the starting lineup, had strong springs and served notice they would be contenders for playing time in the fall.
Senior Seb Clements, who has primarily been a special-teams player in his career, was also a standout during spring drills.
The coaching staff will also welcome Donald Booker in the fall. The last of the junior-college signees, his contributions could be critical for OSU in 2008.
“I think the linebackers can be compared to our group of receivers,” Gundy said. “I think they have a chance to be pretty good as the season develops.”
The Bottom Line: Lavine is a proven commodity and Sexton has shown his ability in the secondary and that duo will serve as the anchor of the Cowboy linebacking corps in 2008. There seems to be depth across the field and the Cowboys look forward to the arrival of Booker in the fall.
Cornerback
Coach Jason Jones
OSU returns a pair of starters at cornerback in Jacob Lacey and Perrish Cox. Also in the hunt for playing time at corner will be Terrance Anderson and Al'Darius Thompson and newcomer Maurice Gray, who arrived in January.
Lacey had his breakout down the stretch of 2007. His play was strong in the spring and the coaches now feel he ranks among the Big 12 Conference's top cornerbacks.
Cox took over for the injured Martel Van Zant last season and started seven games. Anderson got the start in the bowl game and he will be eager to increase his role in 2008.
The Bottom Line: Lacey is a proven commodity and Cox was growing into that role last season. Anderson and Thompson are speedy defenders and Gray showed signs of being a lock-down player during the spring. All in all, the Cowboys figure to be improved at cornerback.
Safety
Coach Joe DeForest
OSU lists Quinton Moore (free) and Ricky Price (strong) as starting safeties entering the fall, but a junior-college All-American is in play here as well in Lucien Antoine.
Antoine is a physical player that made his mark, literally, on several Cowboy receivers in the spring. His play and the play of veteran T.J. Bell were two of top developments coming out of spring drills.
“I don't feel we're as settled here as we are at some of the other positions,” Gundy said. “T.J. Bell really made some strides in the spring and Lucien obviously had an impact as well. We have two veterans back there as well.”
The Bottom Line: Moore and Price are the ranking safeties entering camp, but there seems to be some things still to be decided. A talented influx of safeties could have an impact, but it's unlikely a true freshman will be able to dent the depth chart early on.
Specialists
Coach Joe DeForest
OSU returns one of the nation's top punters in senior Matt Fodge, a three-year starter at long snapper in Zach Allen and its starting placekicker, Dan Bailey, as well. In the fall, the Cowboys will be joined by America's top-rated kicker, Quinn Sharp.
OSU has long been adept at the return game with Perrish Cox already in the OSU record books under several categories and several other candidates anxious for their chance to return as well.
The Bottom Line: Special teams have been a strength for the Cowboys under DeForest. With plenty of returning experience and a roster with a rising talent level, look for that strong play to continue.
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
