Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Meet with Media During Spring Practice
April 11, 2022 | Cowboy Football
The Oklahoma State football team continued spring practice as the Cowboys had a full pads practice on Monday. OSU head coach Mike Gundy and select players spoke with the media about the status of the team as the team nears the end of spring ball. Here is some of what they had to say:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On quarterbacks behind Spencer Sanders:
"I think they're doing good. They're learning. Our offense takes time for quarterbacks and the only way you learn it is to get in live drills. We put them in practice, and they make mistakes, they see it, they come up with a plan to fix it, and put that plan in place and I think those guys are doing a good job with that."
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On what makes playing quarterback difficult:
"It's much more difficult to play quarterback at this level than it ever has been. The second thing is I think our defense is good at what they do and they create some confusion for our quarterbacks. So, not only do we see the results of that on game day, but we see the results of that in practice every day. Specifically, a young quarterback trying to learn how to play at this level.
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On what he's looking for in spring ball:
"Competitiveness, guys willingness to allow themselves to be coached, to work hard and improve every day. Our systems are in place. We're getting ready for the first game in September right now. So now we just continue to get quality reps, we compete, we play hard, stay with the basic fundamentals of football on both sides of the ball and ultimately come up with a package where you don't beat yourself. Play hard and give yourself a chance.
Â
Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad
On becoming a starter after spending last year in a backup role:
"Being a competitor, it has been tough. I've been wanting to get more reps and get more plays, but I've had dogs in front of me my whole time here. Right now, I'm embracing the moment and my time and ready to go out there and fight."
On how the Fiesta Bowl has helped him prepare to be a starter:
"It was a big moment stepping up on that stage and competing. It helped me a lot. Now, nothing will excite me or rattle me because there's not too big of a crowd. That was a big stage."
On his relationship with Korie Black:
"Our chemistry is top notch. Just being together all the time, I know him like the back of my hand and he knows me like the back of his hand. It will help us a lot on the field."
Offensive Lineman Preston Wilson
On his transition to center:
"Coach Dickey approached me at the end of the offseason and asked, my opinion on center and if I could get that down. I told him absolutely. It's something I'm interested in and something that can benefit the team in. I'm excited to step up in that leadership role."
On the pressure of playing center:
"I like to be able to have a leadership role and be able to know there is a little bit of pressure on your back and being able to make calls and identify fronts. If a guy walks up last second, then you have to change your whole call and if you get it right then it works out for the whole team, but if you don't then it gets pinpointed down on you. It's a little bit of pressure, but it's a good feeling and I love being able to do that."
On learning from past OSU centers:
"Learning from guys like Danny Godlevske and even before that with guys like Johnny Wilson and Ry Schneider, all those guys. When I first got here, they had recruited me to play center, so I got the opportunity to see a lot of great centers come through here and pick up tips from them. Coach Dickey is awesome and coach (Brayden) Kearsley came in and I've learned a lot from them. It's been an easy transition overall."
Linebacker Mason Cobb
On having a bigger role next season:
"I feel like it's a lot on my shoulders and stuff like that. I understand that I was behind good guys and I was glad they come back so I could learn from them and take things from them during the season, just kind of just learning with them. I feel like I've come into a time where the game is slowing down for me, so I feel like I'm very comfortable on the field making plays and stuff."
Â
On how the game is slowing down for him:
"Really, it's like, just understanding the defense and being able to see keys before the play happens, so you're not really second-guessing anything. It's almost natural. That just comes with more reps, just more reps in practice will help you."
Â
On new defensive coordinator Derek Mason:
"He's a great dude. He's a people person, players first kind of guy. From walk-ons to starters, he coaches everybody the same."
Â
Wide Receiver Braydon Johnson
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On being the leader of the wide receiver group:
"For me, it was super important just to get back and to lead these guys. Because like you said, I'm the oldest one in the group, so I've got to be the motivator. We've got to come out every day with the mentality like we're going to take the day. It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. It doesn't matter what happens tomorrow. Just lock in on today and get the job done."
Â
On his decision to return to Oklahoma State:
"I like OSU and I knew this was the spot for me. I knew I was going to be able to step into that leadership role that y'all had brought up, so I talked with my coach and we were basically on the same page, that I was just going to work out, sharpen my skills and come back and be in that role. Go every day, take it day by day and take the day every day."
Â
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On quarterbacks behind Spencer Sanders:
"I think they're doing good. They're learning. Our offense takes time for quarterbacks and the only way you learn it is to get in live drills. We put them in practice, and they make mistakes, they see it, they come up with a plan to fix it, and put that plan in place and I think those guys are doing a good job with that."
Â
On what makes playing quarterback difficult:
"It's much more difficult to play quarterback at this level than it ever has been. The second thing is I think our defense is good at what they do and they create some confusion for our quarterbacks. So, not only do we see the results of that on game day, but we see the results of that in practice every day. Specifically, a young quarterback trying to learn how to play at this level.
Â
On what he's looking for in spring ball:
"Competitiveness, guys willingness to allow themselves to be coached, to work hard and improve every day. Our systems are in place. We're getting ready for the first game in September right now. So now we just continue to get quality reps, we compete, we play hard, stay with the basic fundamentals of football on both sides of the ball and ultimately come up with a package where you don't beat yourself. Play hard and give yourself a chance.
Â
Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad
On becoming a starter after spending last year in a backup role:
"Being a competitor, it has been tough. I've been wanting to get more reps and get more plays, but I've had dogs in front of me my whole time here. Right now, I'm embracing the moment and my time and ready to go out there and fight."
On how the Fiesta Bowl has helped him prepare to be a starter:
"It was a big moment stepping up on that stage and competing. It helped me a lot. Now, nothing will excite me or rattle me because there's not too big of a crowd. That was a big stage."
On his relationship with Korie Black:
"Our chemistry is top notch. Just being together all the time, I know him like the back of my hand and he knows me like the back of his hand. It will help us a lot on the field."
Offensive Lineman Preston Wilson
On his transition to center:
"Coach Dickey approached me at the end of the offseason and asked, my opinion on center and if I could get that down. I told him absolutely. It's something I'm interested in and something that can benefit the team in. I'm excited to step up in that leadership role."
On the pressure of playing center:
"I like to be able to have a leadership role and be able to know there is a little bit of pressure on your back and being able to make calls and identify fronts. If a guy walks up last second, then you have to change your whole call and if you get it right then it works out for the whole team, but if you don't then it gets pinpointed down on you. It's a little bit of pressure, but it's a good feeling and I love being able to do that."
On learning from past OSU centers:
"Learning from guys like Danny Godlevske and even before that with guys like Johnny Wilson and Ry Schneider, all those guys. When I first got here, they had recruited me to play center, so I got the opportunity to see a lot of great centers come through here and pick up tips from them. Coach Dickey is awesome and coach (Brayden) Kearsley came in and I've learned a lot from them. It's been an easy transition overall."
Linebacker Mason Cobb
On having a bigger role next season:
"I feel like it's a lot on my shoulders and stuff like that. I understand that I was behind good guys and I was glad they come back so I could learn from them and take things from them during the season, just kind of just learning with them. I feel like I've come into a time where the game is slowing down for me, so I feel like I'm very comfortable on the field making plays and stuff."
Â
On how the game is slowing down for him:
"Really, it's like, just understanding the defense and being able to see keys before the play happens, so you're not really second-guessing anything. It's almost natural. That just comes with more reps, just more reps in practice will help you."
Â
On new defensive coordinator Derek Mason:
"He's a great dude. He's a people person, players first kind of guy. From walk-ons to starters, he coaches everybody the same."
Â
Wide Receiver Braydon Johnson
Â
On being the leader of the wide receiver group:
"For me, it was super important just to get back and to lead these guys. Because like you said, I'm the oldest one in the group, so I've got to be the motivator. We've got to come out every day with the mentality like we're going to take the day. It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. It doesn't matter what happens tomorrow. Just lock in on today and get the job done."
Â
On his decision to return to Oklahoma State:
"I like OSU and I knew this was the spot for me. I knew I was going to be able to step into that leadership role that y'all had brought up, so I talked with my coach and we were basically on the same page, that I was just going to work out, sharpen my skills and come back and be in that role. Go every day, take it day by day and take the day every day."
Â
Players Mentioned
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WR
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CB
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QB
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OL
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OL
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