Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Meet With Media on First Day of Fall Camp
August 03, 2022 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team opened fall camp Wednesday morning with its first practice ahead of the 2022 season. The Cowboys began fall practice with a two-hour workout in shorts and helmets at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. Coach Mike Gundy and select players met with the media on Wednesday. Here is some of what they had to say:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"Well, it's finally here. We're excited, players are excited, coaches are excited and I know the fans and everybody in the country are excited about college football. So looking forward to getting started, but we had a great summer, and the attitude of the team obviously is very good. Wouldn't expect anything else. So looking forward to practice and getting started."
On the mentality of the team:
"We had some guys that departed and went off and are in the NFL now, but overall these young men understand winning. They understand commitment. They understand team. They understand discipline and toughness, and so over a period of years they learn what was passed down from the older guys and what's instilled in them is the discipline and toughness, which happens throughout the summer."
On the offensive line:
"The good news with those guys is they've all played, and we repaired them in the offseason. I'm not as concerned about them as I am developing some backups at certain positions because those guys, when they get in the flow, they should pick it up fast."
On excitement for the new season:
"Well, I'm excited every year because we have a new group of guys. For me, I'm excited about the group and them coming together. They have to create their own identity."
On playing at a fast pace on offense:
"We always want to play fast, but we have to consider what situation we're in, Last year we were playing freshmen wide outs and were just trying to get them lined up, so speed became a non-factor. Spencer (Sanders) can play fast. That's the advantage we have with him. He's become a magician with our offense over his number of years. Playing fast is the responsibility of the quarterback, so if we stay healthy, it gives us an opportunity."
Wide Receiver John Paul Richardson
On fall camp starting:
"I feel great. I think the energy was fantastic today and all the guys are excited to be back out here. It's a great feeling."
On the young wide receiver core:
"Myself, Jaden Bray, Bryson and Blaine Green and even Brennan Presley, we were all young last year. Obviously, I think that is going to help us a lot this year. I think we have a great group of guys that know how to get open and play the game the right way. I'm really excited for us this year."
On Spencer Sanders as a leader:
"He's come so far as a leader. He's a great dude and I think everyone is gravitating toward him this season, and even the last part of last season. He's stepped up a lot vocally and leading by example. I expect a great year out of him this year."
On what he is working on in fall camp:
"I'm just trying to learn the game more from a quarterback standpoint and grow mentally. That means going in and watching more film and getting with Spencer to find out what he's looking at so I can look at that as well when I'm on the field. So overall, growing mentally as well as continuing to get bigger, faster and stronger."
Defensive End Collin Oliver
On summer workouts:
"Summer has helped me a ton. The conditioning level is at an all-time high. I'm feeling good. I'm feeling quicker, strong and everything, so it's helped a lot."
On his mindset going into his sophomore season:
"Same old, same old. Last year I came in with an open mind, just go in there and play football. I'm going to do the same thing this year. I'm not holding myself to a higher standard, I'm just playing football."
On replacing the leadership of the seniors from a year ago:
"It's always going to be good I feel like because we always have depth at every position. People don't realize it, but a whole lot of people get a lot of reps in practice. Of course, it's not the same as a game, but in terms of leadership and all that stuff, it's going to be the same."
Offensive Lineman Hunter Woodard
On the offensive line overcoming the adversity of the spring:
"We were definitely in a rough spot in the spring. We lost guys during the spring. We lost guys right after the season that were transferring. It was hard on us, but I think the bright side of it was the young guys got a lot of reps and they got to grow a lot. Now that we've got that new group in, a few more transfers, we're looking really good as a group and we're confident going forward."
On building chemistry within the offensive line:
"It's big. Just getting those reps as a group, communicating as a group and having that front five. By the time the first game comes around, we barely need to talk during a game. As long as we have that consistent front healthy five, we're just on the same page and we're rolling."
On how he improved even while out with injury in the spring:
"Yeah, I definitely gained a different perspective on it. Just having the script, being able to watch plays from the back and see it how a coach may see it. I think I have a bit better understanding of the plays now."
Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad
On OSU's wide receivers:
"They're really good. I feel like every single one of them have different attributes that can help me on Saturdays."
On excitement for the new season:
"I want to (start the season) so bad, but I know that at the end of the day, you got to take it day by day. I can't just fast forward as much as I want to. I got to get better out here first."
On the impact of in-game experience:
"You know what to expect. Now my job is to help the young corners out and help them get through the process now."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"Well, it's finally here. We're excited, players are excited, coaches are excited and I know the fans and everybody in the country are excited about college football. So looking forward to getting started, but we had a great summer, and the attitude of the team obviously is very good. Wouldn't expect anything else. So looking forward to practice and getting started."
On the mentality of the team:
"We had some guys that departed and went off and are in the NFL now, but overall these young men understand winning. They understand commitment. They understand team. They understand discipline and toughness, and so over a period of years they learn what was passed down from the older guys and what's instilled in them is the discipline and toughness, which happens throughout the summer."
On the offensive line:
"The good news with those guys is they've all played, and we repaired them in the offseason. I'm not as concerned about them as I am developing some backups at certain positions because those guys, when they get in the flow, they should pick it up fast."
On excitement for the new season:
"Well, I'm excited every year because we have a new group of guys. For me, I'm excited about the group and them coming together. They have to create their own identity."
On playing at a fast pace on offense:
"We always want to play fast, but we have to consider what situation we're in, Last year we were playing freshmen wide outs and were just trying to get them lined up, so speed became a non-factor. Spencer (Sanders) can play fast. That's the advantage we have with him. He's become a magician with our offense over his number of years. Playing fast is the responsibility of the quarterback, so if we stay healthy, it gives us an opportunity."
Wide Receiver John Paul Richardson
On fall camp starting:
"I feel great. I think the energy was fantastic today and all the guys are excited to be back out here. It's a great feeling."
On the young wide receiver core:
"Myself, Jaden Bray, Bryson and Blaine Green and even Brennan Presley, we were all young last year. Obviously, I think that is going to help us a lot this year. I think we have a great group of guys that know how to get open and play the game the right way. I'm really excited for us this year."
On Spencer Sanders as a leader:
"He's come so far as a leader. He's a great dude and I think everyone is gravitating toward him this season, and even the last part of last season. He's stepped up a lot vocally and leading by example. I expect a great year out of him this year."
On what he is working on in fall camp:
"I'm just trying to learn the game more from a quarterback standpoint and grow mentally. That means going in and watching more film and getting with Spencer to find out what he's looking at so I can look at that as well when I'm on the field. So overall, growing mentally as well as continuing to get bigger, faster and stronger."
Defensive End Collin Oliver
On summer workouts:
"Summer has helped me a ton. The conditioning level is at an all-time high. I'm feeling good. I'm feeling quicker, strong and everything, so it's helped a lot."
On his mindset going into his sophomore season:
"Same old, same old. Last year I came in with an open mind, just go in there and play football. I'm going to do the same thing this year. I'm not holding myself to a higher standard, I'm just playing football."
On replacing the leadership of the seniors from a year ago:
"It's always going to be good I feel like because we always have depth at every position. People don't realize it, but a whole lot of people get a lot of reps in practice. Of course, it's not the same as a game, but in terms of leadership and all that stuff, it's going to be the same."
Offensive Lineman Hunter Woodard
On the offensive line overcoming the adversity of the spring:
"We were definitely in a rough spot in the spring. We lost guys during the spring. We lost guys right after the season that were transferring. It was hard on us, but I think the bright side of it was the young guys got a lot of reps and they got to grow a lot. Now that we've got that new group in, a few more transfers, we're looking really good as a group and we're confident going forward."
On building chemistry within the offensive line:
"It's big. Just getting those reps as a group, communicating as a group and having that front five. By the time the first game comes around, we barely need to talk during a game. As long as we have that consistent front healthy five, we're just on the same page and we're rolling."
On how he improved even while out with injury in the spring:
"Yeah, I definitely gained a different perspective on it. Just having the script, being able to watch plays from the back and see it how a coach may see it. I think I have a bit better understanding of the plays now."
Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad
On OSU's wide receivers:
"They're really good. I feel like every single one of them have different attributes that can help me on Saturdays."
On excitement for the new season:
"I want to (start the season) so bad, but I know that at the end of the day, you got to take it day by day. I can't just fast forward as much as I want to. I got to get better out here first."
On the impact of in-game experience:
"You know what to expect. Now my job is to help the young corners out and help them get through the process now."
Players Mentioned
WR
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CW
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CB
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WR
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WR
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QB
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OL
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