Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Players Discuss Spring Practice
April 01, 2025 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Head coach Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State players Gavin Freeman, Josh Ford, Iman Oates and Cam Smith met with the media following the first fully-padded workout of the spring at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center on Tuesday afternoon. Here are some of their comments:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the first week of practice:
"It's been good. No pads, but I'm excited about the next two weeks. I feel like after a couple of weeks of pads, we'll get an idea where we are. We'll know a lot more after six practices in pads. The enthusiasm is good, and the coaches' enthusiasm is good. The guys are buying in, the academic reports are good and attendance is good. All the things that we need to move in the right direction are happening."
On what he watches for in practice:
"Working hard in the weight room and them being enthusiastic. This game is played with contact, so we'll see what happens over the coming weeks. It is intriguing because there are 32 new guys, so it's interesting. It will be a process over this week because of the new systems on both sides of the ball."
On whether installing systems or developing players is more important:
"Both are important. We've got to get systems in place and they'll install for four more days. After that, they'll have to work to create some cohesiveness. Then, we have to find out who can make plays on both sides of the ball and start developing the systems. All these guys can create and draw up plays, but it's the Jimmy's and Joe's and what they can do. Both of those things will be very important as we move through practice."
On Hart Lee Dykes' inclusion in the 2025 OSU Hall of Honor Class:
"He's one of the best to ever play. Most people don't know about him, we didn't have social media back then. He only played on TV three times a year. There just wasn't anybody like him – 6'4", 230 pounds and had competitive speed. Four-three guys chased him in the game and couldn't catch him. He's just special. There's not a guy like him. He could do anything he wanted to do. Very deserving of the honors that he's receiving."
Wide Receiver Gavin Freeman
On Doug Meacham's offense:
"It's going to be my fourth year in the air raid type of system, so we've got a couple of new things, but everything else was pretty smooth, so it's nice."
On the quarterbacks:
"They can all play. All four of them could play anywhere. Working with them is easy because they understand what you do and they understand what you do, so it's just getting the chemistry down."
On the decision to take a redshirt last season:
"It's tough for sure, just because you know you're not going to play, but you've just got to have a mindset every practice that you want to get better. You're not getting better technically for this season but for next season. So, you want to help everybody else around you."
Tight End Josh Ford
On his freshman season:
"I'd say it was a good learning experience. Coming from Stillwater High, we didn't lose many games. Last season was hard and being able to bounce back every week with the mindset of 'We're going to dominate this team and give it our all.' That was great for me and learning how to do that was good."
On what he worked on in the offseason:
"Before spring practice, I was really working on flexibility. Towards the end of the season, I got really tight, so I've just been really working on that with [Rob] Glass."
On the tight end group:
"We definitely have a little bit of size difference to us. Me and [Quinton Steward] are kind of in the same ballpark. [Will Monney] and [Oscar Hammond] are maybe a little bit quicker and more of route guys, but all of us have the same job and we do all the same things."
Defensive Tackle Iman Oates
On if practice has been intense:
"Oh, definitely, and that's what you need too as a defensive line. Especially having the juice come from your coach, you know he has the energy. He brings it. We bring it. He brings it out of us. It's been great."
On which newcomers have stood out to him:
"I'd say Jaylen Davies, defensive back wise. I like the linebackers Brandon Rawls [and] Bryan McCoy. [They're] real commanders in that first group, being vocal because they get the calls and have to relay it to us and everything like that. So, I'd say those three for sure."
On being a veteran and a leader:
"It's funny because when guys come in, they kind of have this idea of me, like 'This is your team' or whatever the case may be, and I'm cool. I'm chill. If people already look at you this way and then you know your role, you kind of mold into it naturally and you just accept it as it is. You know just being me and doing what I normally do, and then people taking heed to that and just everybody coming together."
Cornerback Cam Smith:
On practicing with all of the newcomers:
"It's been a learning curve a little bit because you know you've got to communicate more, and with a new defense you have to know what you're doing and know what the person next to you is doing, so you know where your help is. You've got to look at the formation to know what you've got to do and the adjustments, so everybody's got to communicate."
On competition in camp:
"This might be the most competitive corner room it's been. Everybody can play. Everybody makes plays. My teammates and I just were just talking about it yesterday. If you're not doing what you're supposed to do, then you could get your spot taken. So every day, you've got to come with it."
On being a leader:
"To me, yeah, I have to lead. Normally, I lead by example. My coaches are now pushing me to be more of a vocal leader and kind of expect the younger guys to do what they need to do. And If I don't see them doing that, then kind of get onto them about it."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the first week of practice:
"It's been good. No pads, but I'm excited about the next two weeks. I feel like after a couple of weeks of pads, we'll get an idea where we are. We'll know a lot more after six practices in pads. The enthusiasm is good, and the coaches' enthusiasm is good. The guys are buying in, the academic reports are good and attendance is good. All the things that we need to move in the right direction are happening."
On what he watches for in practice:
"Working hard in the weight room and them being enthusiastic. This game is played with contact, so we'll see what happens over the coming weeks. It is intriguing because there are 32 new guys, so it's interesting. It will be a process over this week because of the new systems on both sides of the ball."
On whether installing systems or developing players is more important:
"Both are important. We've got to get systems in place and they'll install for four more days. After that, they'll have to work to create some cohesiveness. Then, we have to find out who can make plays on both sides of the ball and start developing the systems. All these guys can create and draw up plays, but it's the Jimmy's and Joe's and what they can do. Both of those things will be very important as we move through practice."
On Hart Lee Dykes' inclusion in the 2025 OSU Hall of Honor Class:
"He's one of the best to ever play. Most people don't know about him, we didn't have social media back then. He only played on TV three times a year. There just wasn't anybody like him – 6'4", 230 pounds and had competitive speed. Four-three guys chased him in the game and couldn't catch him. He's just special. There's not a guy like him. He could do anything he wanted to do. Very deserving of the honors that he's receiving."
Wide Receiver Gavin Freeman
On Doug Meacham's offense:
"It's going to be my fourth year in the air raid type of system, so we've got a couple of new things, but everything else was pretty smooth, so it's nice."
On the quarterbacks:
"They can all play. All four of them could play anywhere. Working with them is easy because they understand what you do and they understand what you do, so it's just getting the chemistry down."
On the decision to take a redshirt last season:
"It's tough for sure, just because you know you're not going to play, but you've just got to have a mindset every practice that you want to get better. You're not getting better technically for this season but for next season. So, you want to help everybody else around you."
Tight End Josh Ford
On his freshman season:
"I'd say it was a good learning experience. Coming from Stillwater High, we didn't lose many games. Last season was hard and being able to bounce back every week with the mindset of 'We're going to dominate this team and give it our all.' That was great for me and learning how to do that was good."
On what he worked on in the offseason:
"Before spring practice, I was really working on flexibility. Towards the end of the season, I got really tight, so I've just been really working on that with [Rob] Glass."
On the tight end group:
"We definitely have a little bit of size difference to us. Me and [Quinton Steward] are kind of in the same ballpark. [Will Monney] and [Oscar Hammond] are maybe a little bit quicker and more of route guys, but all of us have the same job and we do all the same things."
Defensive Tackle Iman Oates
On if practice has been intense:
"Oh, definitely, and that's what you need too as a defensive line. Especially having the juice come from your coach, you know he has the energy. He brings it. We bring it. He brings it out of us. It's been great."
On which newcomers have stood out to him:
"I'd say Jaylen Davies, defensive back wise. I like the linebackers Brandon Rawls [and] Bryan McCoy. [They're] real commanders in that first group, being vocal because they get the calls and have to relay it to us and everything like that. So, I'd say those three for sure."
On being a veteran and a leader:
"It's funny because when guys come in, they kind of have this idea of me, like 'This is your team' or whatever the case may be, and I'm cool. I'm chill. If people already look at you this way and then you know your role, you kind of mold into it naturally and you just accept it as it is. You know just being me and doing what I normally do, and then people taking heed to that and just everybody coming together."
Cornerback Cam Smith:
On practicing with all of the newcomers:
"It's been a learning curve a little bit because you know you've got to communicate more, and with a new defense you have to know what you're doing and know what the person next to you is doing, so you know where your help is. You've got to look at the formation to know what you've got to do and the adjustments, so everybody's got to communicate."
On competition in camp:
"This might be the most competitive corner room it's been. Everybody can play. Everybody makes plays. My teammates and I just were just talking about it yesterday. If you're not doing what you're supposed to do, then you could get your spot taken. So every day, you've got to come with it."
On being a leader:
"To me, yeah, I have to lead. Normally, I lead by example. My coaches are now pushing me to be more of a vocal leader and kind of expect the younger guys to do what they need to do. And If I don't see them doing that, then kind of get onto them about it."
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Cowboy Football
TE
/ Cowboy Football
LB
/ Cowboy Football
TE
/ Cowboy Football
NT
/ Cowboy Football
LB
/ Cowboy Football
Texas Tech Game Preview with Doug Meacham - Inside Oklahoma State Athletics
Thursday, October 23
Doug Meacham Previews Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech - Cowboy Football News Conference (10-20-2025)
Tuesday, October 21
Steve Lutz on OSU Win Over Auburn and What's Next For Cowboy Hoops - 10-20-25 News Conference
Monday, October 20
Doug Meacham Previews Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State - Cowboy Football News Conference (11-24-2025)
Monday, October 20
