Cowboy Football Opens Spring Practice

The Oklahoma State football team had its first day of spring practice on Tuesday as the Cowboys look to build off of the momentum gained from the Fiesta Bowl victory that capped off a 12-win season. Here is some of what head coach Mike Gundy and the Cowboys had to say while meeting with members of the media:

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"It's finally here for us. We're back at it a week later than usual. In most cases we practice before the break, but we had an additional week, so we chose to spend that time in offseason in the weight room and conditioning. It worked out really well for us. I feel like our team is in the best condition that we've ever been in at this time of the year. We've had a great off season. We're excited about getting started. Looking forward to the next 15 practices"

On Derek Mason:
"Coach has been here enough and with him adapting to our system, it was pretty easy for him to adjust. There are a lot of similarities with what we were doing that he was doing or has done at some point in his career. So that adjustment, the camaraderie in the defensive staff room has been really good up to this point. I'm excited about watching our defense continue to grow with what we've developed over the last two or three years."

On Spencer Sanders:
"We didn't protect him very well. I've said this all along and I'll say it again, you watch a high school game, some college games, some NFL games, I've seen quarterbacks that are ranked really high and if you don't protect them, they don't play very well. There are times when he didn't play as well as he wanted to, but we did not protect him very well and we didn't rush the football. When that happens, it's difficult for a quarterback, so Spencer had a great year last year. He's matured, he gets it. He's humble. He competes."

Offensive Lineman Hunter Woodard
On having limited depth at offensive line in the spring:
"It makes it difficult, but at the same time, coach has less people to focus on so he can give each guy more and more attention. There's pros and cons to it I guess."

On new lineman getting the opportunity to perform in spring practice:
"I definitely think we have a lot of guys who will be valuable to us this year. With a couple of us being out this spring ball, some guys are going to step up and it's going to be great for our depth in the fall."

First thoughts on Tyrone Webber:
"He's great to have around. He has some work to do, but he's looking good already. He's picking up on everything quickly."

Oklahoma State Cornerback Korie Black
On new defensive coordinator Derek Mason:
"I like him a lot. I feel like he knows a lot about the game, just like Coach Knowles did, so I feel like he can lead us in the same way... He's got a [defensive back] mindset. I like that a lot."

On how his experience has prepared him for the upcoming season:
"Playing and learning behind [Jarrick Bernard-Converse]... We got to rotate in these past two years. We didn't start, but we got to experience what it was. So, now I think I'm ready."

On being a leader among the defensive back unit:
"I know we got them. I feel like me and [Jabbar Muhammad) can lead in the right way and help build and develop those guys to be ready."

Defensive End Tyler Lacy
On the first day with Coach Mason:
"It was good to be back out with the guys. That's first off, after spring break learning the new system with Coach Mason. He coaches us hard and got us in the right spots where we were supposed to be. I feel like the guys are locked in, honed in and ready to make it work."

On the linebackers:
"I feel like the linebacking core is young. They need some experience and spring ball is really going to help them. Especially Mason Cobb, I feel like he has a chance to shine and bring us to a championship this season."

On being pushed by the Big 12 championship game:
"It really pushes me. I established this to all of the guys that the one inch could've got us somewhere, so let's push a little bit harder this year and get that inch again."

Quarterback Spencer Sanders
On what he's been working to improve:
"Bettering my pass game. I work with Coach Rattay every time I get to on getting balanced at the line and making the right passes and reads."

On this year's emphasis for improvement:
"Go out there and win. Whatever I have to do to win. Whatever it takes. Obviously, I'm going to perfect every craft of mine I can, but nobody's perfect. We're going to get better in the passing game and keep preventing turnovers and bring the young guys up around me and keep building chemistry. Let's go for a national championship. I don't care we have a young team, or a young guy here or an untalented guy there. I feel like if we can go do it, let's go do it. "

On goals for this year:
"For spring, it's being a better leader, being more vocal and helping the guys. Like I said, we have a lot of young guys on this team, so just bringing the guys up and letting their confidence get up. If you're here you're a great player and I believe in that too, so really bringing up those young guys. If you make a bad play, let it go and if you make a good play, let it go. Hopefully we can come together like we were last year."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Jarrick Bernard-Converse

Korie Black

Mason Cobb

Tyler Lacy

Jabbar Muhammad

Spencer Sanders

Tyrone Webber

Hunter Woodard

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