Gundy and Cowboys Talk Week Two of Spring Ball

STILLWATER - Mike Gundy met with media prior to Oklahoma State kicking off its second week of spring practice Monday. Here's some of what he had to say:

Coach Mike Gundy

Opening statement:
"Nothing's changed for us. We've had a good week. (The team is in) pads finally so we get real football. The guys are doing good. We've been healthy, knock on wood, so far. So, we're just going through the process. I shared with the staff today that I'd like them to keep rotations with players for the next six practices before we start to maybe change some things up based on new entry portal players so we can get a good feel for everybody that gets six practices in pads before we really do anything different. We're getting a lot of reps. There's a lot of reps to go around. Is there enough? No, but do I feel good about how many we're getting? Yes."

On the new quarterback group:
"They're doing good. They're throwing it. We weren't rushing the passer, because we didn't have pads on so we're making the D-line stop. So, it's a little unrealistic. Now, in these next three practices they're going to get pressure. We'll see how they handle pressure, moving around in the pocket, delivering, so on and so forth."

On if the defense is adjusting to its new schemes:
"I think so. They're really simple. They're working some odd front lines. They started with some of the even front, but overall I have faith in Bryan (Nardo) and the staff. I've asked Bryan to be very simple and let's make sure we're up and running before we get to the next step, and I feel good about that at this time."

On what he's seen from the incoming transfers:
"One thing that's interesting about the portal is we learn more about it all the time. Those are new guys that chose to be here. So, they're excited about being here. They're hungry, they want to be a part, they're working hard, and I see that from all of them right now."

Running Back Jaden Nixon
On practicing in pads for the first time this spring:
"It was good, just need to get used to the contact again and everything like that. Everybody's flying around. I'm just excited for the whole team to get back into the contact because it's one thing to be practicing without pads, but once contact comes, that shows how we're really going to look. I think everybody's excited to have pads on and we get to actually play football."

On practicing with a healthy offensive line:
"It's great because now we don't have to slow down practice or wait for guys to recover. Just practicing with those guys, it's great to have them out there because they want to be out there. They put in the work; they try really hard too. When it's a lot of the offensive line, it's really hard to conduct practice. I'm just glad that everybody, for the most part, is healthy and everything is going good."

On the quarterback battle:
"I think they're looking really good. We have a lot of talent. I don't know who's looking where, I don't care about that. I just want to see them get out there and compete and better each other because the quarterback is a really big position, and we're really going to need a quarterback to step up this year. Whoever it is, we just need them to be prepared and ready to go. In my opinion, I think they're looking great. I'm excited to see what they do this year. Still got some ways to go, but that's all around with everybody."

Defensive End Kody Walterscheid
On returning to the field:
"We're feeling good. I think there's a lot of energy and focus out here and it's all going great. Everybody's locked in and I think everyone has bought in as well."

On working with Bryan Nardo:
"Coach Nardo is awesome. I think he's a really intelligent dude. He's a really, really smart guy and I believe in what he's saying and I think we're going to do some great things with him."

On practicing in pads for the first time this spring:
"Just getting back out here is the main thing. We've had some time off, everybody's excited to get back out here and put the pads on."

Wide Receiver Brennan Presley
On how he's feeling:
"I'm feeling pretty good right now. We had a great winter and we did a lot of rehab stuff and things like that. Just a lot of preventing things because I would rather be proactive than reactive. Just taking care of my body a lot more."

On this year's receivers compared to last year's receivers:
"We've brought in a lot of great guys and we lost a lot of great guys. The guys here are working for what we have to do right now so I think we'll be really good and prepared for the season."

On the young wide receivers:
"All of them are standing out. Rylan (McQuarters) is really big and very smart. Leon (Johnson III) is really big, tall and has a long wingspan. They're all amazing, just great characters and I'm glad we have them on our team.

Linebacker Xavier Benson:
On the linebacker core so far:
"I feel like it's a lot more mature and older. I feel like there's a lot more accountability held towards one another even with our threes and even with our ones. Nobody is out of the frame of getting corrected. There's no dominant figure of the linebacker group because we're always one. We just take care of each other, we make sure everybody's okay, and we make sure everyone is straight. I love all of the linebackers; I love them.

On embracing the veteran role:
"It's a lot healthier. I feel like I finally have the voice and role that I wanted, I just had to stay here until it came up. That's one of my favorite sayings - stay down until you have to come up, and I just had to wait. I know it's going to be something special because I refuse to let any of these guys down. We have the position and opportunity to show everyone how capable we are."

On what sold him about OSU in 2021:
"From my personal history, my conversation with Gundy and how he understands I'm just a person at the end of the day. Then coming out here and seeing that the town of Stillwater is known for not having distractions. I just focus on school, social life and football. I felt that was a really positive thing for all the young ones. When y'all are young, you're close together, y'all help each other be great, and you have nothing else to do so you might as well be great."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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Jaden Nixon

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Kody Walterscheid

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