Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Gundy, Cowboys Talk Spring Practice
April 02, 2024 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Head coach Mike Gundy and several players met with the media Tuesday in Stillwater to discuss spring practice and the Cowboys' first day in full pads. Here are some of their comments:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the wide receivers:
"Like every other position, experience and reps is something that we feel like you can't really replace. You learn on the run, and we've got a lot of maturity in that role. This is an interesting position this year because we have a lot of maturity and then we have new guys. There's not really any fillers, so we need the veterans to stay healthy and bring the young guys along throughout the season."
On development compared to past springs:
"I think we're further ahead than we have been in the spring. Considerably further than last year… So, we're able to move along much faster. It's interesting to watch the high school players and how they evolve over the spring. Their heads are spinning right now, but we're getting good effort from them. They're in good condition, which it's not easy to come out of high school and then pick up a tempo at this pace. They're coming along. They definitely get an advantage being here and understanding they can make more of a movement in June and July."
On offensive line depth:
"We've got a couple guys that aren't going to get as much contact this spring with repairs over the offseason, so there'll be plenty of reps for those guys to go around. The one advantage that we have now is there's a lot of reps in spring football. Our ones and twos and threes get reps."
On newcomer AJ Green and the running back room:
"What we need him to do is bring a physical, mature presence that allows our younger backs to develop. I feel good where we're at depth-wise at that position, but those guys can go down fast. We needed a mature guy, and he brings that to the table. So far, he's done really well."
Quarterback Alan Bowman
On changes in the offseason:
"I realized I could put a little bit of muscle on… Normally, Coach Glass has modified workouts with quarterbacks throughout these winter programs, but we weren't modified at all. We did everything that everybody else did, bench, squat, you name it. We were doing everything that everyone did, and I think that helped with arm strength and leg drive. Just gotten bigger, faster, stronger."
On how he feels physically and mentally:
"This is the best I've ever felt. Obviously, I think it's just kind of the maturity of (being older), but I do think, comparatively, you see guys that are 29-30 in their peak, so I'm still young in the grand scheme of things. I think this is the best I've felt and the strongest and the biggest… (Last spring), my mind was racing, going 800 miles an hour, trying to figure out what foot to step with, what progression to go through. Now, being able to say, 'okay, I know what to do.' Now I can really focus on staying firm in the pocket. If it breaks down, go get five, instead of trying to figure out what to do with my hands."
Wide Receiver Rashod Owens
On the attitude with so many returning starters:
"It's a great feeling because a lot of teams wouldn't have a lot of guys return, especially the whole offense. It's a true blessing that everybody had the heart and desire to come back and play with each other one more time. We are definitely eager and hungry for that Big 12 championship."
On his connection with Alan Bowman:
"It's getting stronger. Every day, we work on little things, whether it's timing or where the balls are going to land when he throws it. It's just the little stuff that goes on throughout the game or throughout practices. Every day, we're just getting better in little ways."
Cornerback Korie Black
On improvement by other defensive backs:
"Everybody in our room is kind of growing at a good pace. Everybody is learning and working together, getting better, growing up. Really everybody in the room is, but especially Kale (Smith) and Cam (Smith). Experience is the best teacher if you ask me. Just being able to experience things and not just hear things from what other people say, actually being out there and getting reps. So, I feel like they're growing a lot."
On the defense's biggest improvement thus far:
"I think as a defense, it's the communication part. Just being able to talk to each other and be comfortable with everybody. Be able to tell other people what they see and stuff when they're coming off the field. I think that's a big thing for now and when you get into games."
Defensive Lineman Kody Walterscheid
On deciding to use his extra year of eligibility:
"A lot of my buddies staying made it an easier decision… A lot of people coming back, so that kind of made it an easy decision… It's fun. Enjoy the process and enjoy the grind, so it's all good. I love it here. I don't know where else I'd rather be."
On his mentality in the offseason:
"Sometimes Coach Gundy says there is no offseason. Everything can improve, nothing is perfect. Just trying to work on my game, work on everything. Steps, hips, hands and feet. All of it."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the wide receivers:
"Like every other position, experience and reps is something that we feel like you can't really replace. You learn on the run, and we've got a lot of maturity in that role. This is an interesting position this year because we have a lot of maturity and then we have new guys. There's not really any fillers, so we need the veterans to stay healthy and bring the young guys along throughout the season."
On development compared to past springs:
"I think we're further ahead than we have been in the spring. Considerably further than last year… So, we're able to move along much faster. It's interesting to watch the high school players and how they evolve over the spring. Their heads are spinning right now, but we're getting good effort from them. They're in good condition, which it's not easy to come out of high school and then pick up a tempo at this pace. They're coming along. They definitely get an advantage being here and understanding they can make more of a movement in June and July."
On offensive line depth:
"We've got a couple guys that aren't going to get as much contact this spring with repairs over the offseason, so there'll be plenty of reps for those guys to go around. The one advantage that we have now is there's a lot of reps in spring football. Our ones and twos and threes get reps."
On newcomer AJ Green and the running back room:
"What we need him to do is bring a physical, mature presence that allows our younger backs to develop. I feel good where we're at depth-wise at that position, but those guys can go down fast. We needed a mature guy, and he brings that to the table. So far, he's done really well."
Quarterback Alan Bowman
On changes in the offseason:
"I realized I could put a little bit of muscle on… Normally, Coach Glass has modified workouts with quarterbacks throughout these winter programs, but we weren't modified at all. We did everything that everybody else did, bench, squat, you name it. We were doing everything that everyone did, and I think that helped with arm strength and leg drive. Just gotten bigger, faster, stronger."
On how he feels physically and mentally:
"This is the best I've ever felt. Obviously, I think it's just kind of the maturity of (being older), but I do think, comparatively, you see guys that are 29-30 in their peak, so I'm still young in the grand scheme of things. I think this is the best I've felt and the strongest and the biggest… (Last spring), my mind was racing, going 800 miles an hour, trying to figure out what foot to step with, what progression to go through. Now, being able to say, 'okay, I know what to do.' Now I can really focus on staying firm in the pocket. If it breaks down, go get five, instead of trying to figure out what to do with my hands."
Wide Receiver Rashod Owens
On the attitude with so many returning starters:
"It's a great feeling because a lot of teams wouldn't have a lot of guys return, especially the whole offense. It's a true blessing that everybody had the heart and desire to come back and play with each other one more time. We are definitely eager and hungry for that Big 12 championship."
On his connection with Alan Bowman:
"It's getting stronger. Every day, we work on little things, whether it's timing or where the balls are going to land when he throws it. It's just the little stuff that goes on throughout the game or throughout practices. Every day, we're just getting better in little ways."
Cornerback Korie Black
On improvement by other defensive backs:
"Everybody in our room is kind of growing at a good pace. Everybody is learning and working together, getting better, growing up. Really everybody in the room is, but especially Kale (Smith) and Cam (Smith). Experience is the best teacher if you ask me. Just being able to experience things and not just hear things from what other people say, actually being out there and getting reps. So, I feel like they're growing a lot."
On the defense's biggest improvement thus far:
"I think as a defense, it's the communication part. Just being able to talk to each other and be comfortable with everybody. Be able to tell other people what they see and stuff when they're coming off the field. I think that's a big thing for now and when you get into games."
Defensive Lineman Kody Walterscheid
On deciding to use his extra year of eligibility:
"A lot of my buddies staying made it an easier decision… A lot of people coming back, so that kind of made it an easy decision… It's fun. Enjoy the process and enjoy the grind, so it's all good. I love it here. I don't know where else I'd rather be."
On his mentality in the offseason:
"Sometimes Coach Gundy says there is no offseason. Everything can improve, nothing is perfect. Just trying to work on my game, work on everything. Steps, hips, hands and feet. All of it."
Players Mentioned
CB
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QB
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WR
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DE
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