Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Meet With Media on First Day of Spring Football
March 21, 2023 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State football team had its first day of spring practice on Tuesday afternoon inside the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. The Cowboys bring a load of new faces into the program, including new defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo who was hired from Gannon University in January. Head coach Mike Gundy and select players met with members of the media on Tuesday to discuss the offseason and the beginning of spring practice. Here is some of what they had to say:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"We're back at it. I'm glad we are back from spring break healthy and ready to get at it. The players are excited. We had a great offseason. I thought about whether I could say something different, but we generally always have really good off-seasons and get a lot of work accomplished. It was much different this year with 28 new kids we have on our roster for the spring which is considerably different. Most seasons in the past you are looking at three or four new players. We're finding our way through, getting everybody together repetitions wise and trying to get schemes built in all three phases that will benefit us in the summer so guys can practice on their own and get ready for August. It's good to be out here and get rolling."
On Bryan Nardo's defensive approach:
"He's going to have his own style. He obviously is going to be able to run what he thinks is best, along with the defensive staff. There were a lot of things over the last two or three years that we were pretty good at defensively, so we don't want to go away from those, particularly third downs. We've been really good on third downs. We have some good ideas, some things that when he came in, he thought it was really good stuff. It's no mystery, we'll be more three down than we've been in the past, but we'll still run four down. So, we're going to try to morph it into what we think is best to make ends meet."
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On Alan Bowman:
"He brings maturity. He's had a lot of reps in a lot of games. Been around good coaching, in my opinion. When he came in and we spent time with him, I really liked his appearance and the way he carried himself. He's very humble. We're excited about bringing him in and giving him the chance to be out here to compete with the other quarterbacks."
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On the position competitions:
"One of the more difficult things we have to work through now is that we have around 20 new players. So, there's really not enough reps for everybody in the spring to really make final decisions. I told the team that's why it's important. We're going to get as much work done as we can, but this will be a very unusual spring in that it's different from that standpoint. Everybody's going to have a chance to compete. We're going to try to spread the reps around at all positions the best we can. I know that's not feasible. But we're going to do the best we can until we get to the very latter part of spring, and then we might try to solidify some spots."
Fullback Braden Cassity
"It's super important. That's the whole goal and that's what's been talked about and coaches know, the trainers know, the players know, everybody knows that's the goal. Nobody ever wants to get hurt, and that's never anybody's intentions. Making sure we have a safe spring, coaches are taking extra precautions in different drills and different scenarios just to make sure we have a better chance of not getting rolled up on, not having those nagging injuries."
Safety Lyrik Rawls
On getting to know defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo:
"It's been great getting to know him. He's a great coach. He's already willing to get close to all of us personally and wants us to get in contact with him and set up times to meet with him. It's been really cool having more days with him."
On the defensive scheme change:
"It has changed from the front. We're going to a three front and I feel like it gives the back end more space to fly around, make plays and get to the ball."
Linebacker Collin Oliver
On his position change from defensive end to linebacker:
"I got plenty of word and sources telling me that it's a good change for me. Although I like pass rushing and I like being on the defensive line, linebacker is going to be a vital role for me at the next level if I want to go there. I believe it will be beneficial for me in my future."
On what he knew about Bryan Nardo before he arrived in Stillwater:
"We did a lot of film watching as individuals. Seeing how his team competed and how they worked, you really get a feel for his defense and how they moved. I enjoyed watching their film."
Kicker Alex Hale
On the specialists:
"We're all building chemistry together. There is a lot of new guys but we're working together to build the chemistry. Zeke (Zaragoza) is here too. He's been here for four years now. We're kind of the older guys in the group. Logan (Ward) has also gotten a lot of experience now that he's been here a couple years."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
Opening Statement:
"We're back at it. I'm glad we are back from spring break healthy and ready to get at it. The players are excited. We had a great offseason. I thought about whether I could say something different, but we generally always have really good off-seasons and get a lot of work accomplished. It was much different this year with 28 new kids we have on our roster for the spring which is considerably different. Most seasons in the past you are looking at three or four new players. We're finding our way through, getting everybody together repetitions wise and trying to get schemes built in all three phases that will benefit us in the summer so guys can practice on their own and get ready for August. It's good to be out here and get rolling."
On Bryan Nardo's defensive approach:
"He's going to have his own style. He obviously is going to be able to run what he thinks is best, along with the defensive staff. There were a lot of things over the last two or three years that we were pretty good at defensively, so we don't want to go away from those, particularly third downs. We've been really good on third downs. We have some good ideas, some things that when he came in, he thought it was really good stuff. It's no mystery, we'll be more three down than we've been in the past, but we'll still run four down. So, we're going to try to morph it into what we think is best to make ends meet."
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On Alan Bowman:
"He brings maturity. He's had a lot of reps in a lot of games. Been around good coaching, in my opinion. When he came in and we spent time with him, I really liked his appearance and the way he carried himself. He's very humble. We're excited about bringing him in and giving him the chance to be out here to compete with the other quarterbacks."
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On the position competitions:
"One of the more difficult things we have to work through now is that we have around 20 new players. So, there's really not enough reps for everybody in the spring to really make final decisions. I told the team that's why it's important. We're going to get as much work done as we can, but this will be a very unusual spring in that it's different from that standpoint. Everybody's going to have a chance to compete. We're going to try to spread the reps around at all positions the best we can. I know that's not feasible. But we're going to do the best we can until we get to the very latter part of spring, and then we might try to solidify some spots."
Fullback Braden Cassity
On starting practice again:
"It's definitely good getting back in the groove of things and watching the new guys get here and learn. They picked it up way faster than I did, that's for sure. It's awesome being back. It's always fun, not too hot, not too cold right now, just right."
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On changing positions:
"It is what it is, at the end of the day it's just a name. It really doesn't change anything. I miss it a little bit, I still catch myself calling it a Cowboy Back, but it really doesn't really matter at the end of the day. I'm definitely more of a run-blocking type. It fits me well, it's interesting to see. I'm looking forward to how that position is going to develop now that we have that in place and we can be more dynamic with a tight end and a full back. I'm really excited about it."
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Offensive Lineman Preston Wilson
On staying healthy in the spring:"It's definitely good getting back in the groove of things and watching the new guys get here and learn. They picked it up way faster than I did, that's for sure. It's awesome being back. It's always fun, not too hot, not too cold right now, just right."
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On changing positions:
"It is what it is, at the end of the day it's just a name. It really doesn't change anything. I miss it a little bit, I still catch myself calling it a Cowboy Back, but it really doesn't really matter at the end of the day. I'm definitely more of a run-blocking type. It fits me well, it's interesting to see. I'm looking forward to how that position is going to develop now that we have that in place and we can be more dynamic with a tight end and a full back. I'm really excited about it."
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Offensive Lineman Preston Wilson
"It's super important. That's the whole goal and that's what's been talked about and coaches know, the trainers know, the players know, everybody knows that's the goal. Nobody ever wants to get hurt, and that's never anybody's intentions. Making sure we have a safe spring, coaches are taking extra precautions in different drills and different scenarios just to make sure we have a better chance of not getting rolled up on, not having those nagging injuries."
Safety Lyrik Rawls
On getting to know defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo:
"It's been great getting to know him. He's a great coach. He's already willing to get close to all of us personally and wants us to get in contact with him and set up times to meet with him. It's been really cool having more days with him."
On the defensive scheme change:
"It has changed from the front. We're going to a three front and I feel like it gives the back end more space to fly around, make plays and get to the ball."
Linebacker Collin Oliver
On his position change from defensive end to linebacker:
"I got plenty of word and sources telling me that it's a good change for me. Although I like pass rushing and I like being on the defensive line, linebacker is going to be a vital role for me at the next level if I want to go there. I believe it will be beneficial for me in my future."
On what he knew about Bryan Nardo before he arrived in Stillwater:
"We did a lot of film watching as individuals. Seeing how his team competed and how they worked, you really get a feel for his defense and how they moved. I enjoyed watching their film."
Kicker Alex Hale
On the specialists:
"We're all building chemistry together. There is a lot of new guys but we're working together to build the chemistry. Zeke (Zaragoza) is here too. He's been here for four years now. We're kind of the older guys in the group. Logan (Ward) has also gotten a lot of experience now that he's been here a couple years."
Players Mentioned
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OL
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