Oklahoma State University Athletics
Loyal and True: Braden Cassity's Consistent Tenure with Cowboy Football
October 19, 2023 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – If Braden Cassity could be described in one word, "consistent" would rank among the favorites.
In his five years competing as a Cowboy, fans have come to expect to see No. 90 on the field at some point. Cassity has dressed for and competed in 54 games, starting 15. In that span, Cassity has only missed three games.
But that's just the start of it. His consistency has led to him earning the title of team captain during his senior season in 2022, something he also earned while in high school. This season, he was one of the captains during the 2023 season opener against Central Arkansas.
In the classroom, Cassity has excelled. He's become a mainstay on the academic all-conference team, spending four years as a member and three of those times on the first team. He earned his bachelor's degree in three years, collected a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies and is now working on a second master's certificate in leisure studies.
Something that has come with his consistency is his loyalty to the Cowboys, OSU and Stillwater. It's been recognized by the university and athletics just as much as it has been by his own team. Cassity earned the 2023 Loyal and True Award at the Cowboy Choice Awards.
After returning to OSU for his redshirt senior year, Cassity has grown used to playing wherever his coaches put him, something that's also consistent. Up until the 2023 season, Cassity primarily played Cowboy back, along with various special teams and defensive roles. He came to OSU as a defensive player out of high school and transitioned to the offensive side in the middle of his second season in Stillwater.
Cassity attended Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, where he starred on the defense as a defensive end and outside linebacker. He earned several accolades, including the Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year, District 25-6A Defensive MVP and Padilla Poll Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Cassity was heavily recruited in high school, but when choosing where he wanted to play, it seemed to be a no-brainer.
His Cowboy roots run deep into his childhood. He's been around the team for most of his life, as both his parents worked with OSU when he was growing up. His father, Mike, served as a co-defensive coordinator for OSU in 1999 and defensive coordinator in 2000. Likewise, his mother, Colleen Rambusch, worked for OSU athletics in radio and TV in what is now Orange Power Studios.
Growing up around sports and the Cowboys, some of Cassity's siblings have also spent time in college athletics. He has had siblings compete in football, baseball and lacrosse and at the collegiate level. One of his brothers, Skyler, is now the defensive coordinator at Abilene Christian and coached against Cassity and the Cowboys while coaching at Texas Tech and Missouri State. Another brother, Blake Rambusch, is currently playing in the Seattle Mariners' organization. Before coaching, his father lettered in football and wrestling for Kentucky, and his stepfather Bit Rambusch lettered in football and baseball for Army.
It's clear that Cassity has found a forever home in Stillwater, and he's back to finish what he started in 2023.
This season, Cassity has switched into a more traditional fullback position, where he serves as the lead blocker for OSU halfbacks. It's a humble position, but one that Cassity embraces. While the statistics he's garnered in his five years at OSU are limited, he said blocking and watching his teammates score is worth it.
"That's what you want," Cassity said. "You want to see guys like Ollie [Gordon], Elijah Collins and Jaden Nixon running downhill. Can't ask for more than that, I love it."
Having played so many positions and being one of OSU's prime utility players, it can be an adjustment for some players to learn a new position, doubled with having to learn the tight end schemes as well. Cassity said as the year progresses, the game on the field has become simpler.
"It's definitely becoming easier," Cassity said. "Some of the schemes we have in place have been awesome. It just allows us to play to the fullest potential."
Cassity and the Cowboys travel east this week to face the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown. OSU has found some offensive momentum, thanks in large part to Cassity and the offensive line's blocking improvements and will look to carry that to its third consecutive victory.
Cassity said he loves the hard-nosed playstyle, something West Virginia has become known for in recent years. On top of that, he said playing at Milan Puskar Stadium is one of his favorite venues in all of college football.
"They pride themselves on being physical and they always do that," Cassity said. "Playing up there in Morgantown, it's always a great atmosphere… I'm fired up, I love playing up there."
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, October 21. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
