Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Talk Spring Ball
April 08, 2025 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy and several players met with the media following Tuesday's practice at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center. Here are some of their comments:
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the team's development this spring:
"We're still learning. The offense is a little bit further ahead based on the terminology that Coach Meacham has tied into what we did when he was here before. They're a little different learning curve than what the defense is. They're practicing hard, competing, enthusiastic."
On meshing the secondary:
"I'm hoping in a week and a half that we can get a little more consistency with actually who's out there playing because they're just rotating in… A bunch of them make plays. Right now, because we have so many new guys rotating in, they're with different groups. You might have an experienced guy that's out there with the threes, which are young guys, so it's different."
On the running backs:
"I've always felt comfortable with one guy getting 20 carries a game and feeling like he can establish himself, but he can also save his body and not get beaten up too much… They've been pretty impressive as a group. (Kalib) Hicks has come in, he's experienced. Sesi (Vailahi) has had reps, (Trent Howland) has had reps. Rodney (Fields) has not had a lot of game reps but he had a lot of practice reps last year."
Wide Receiver Ayo Shotomide-King
On the previous season:
"Honestly, I was in awe the whole season. After coming from not being recruited at all in high school, spent two years in junior college and then being in the Division I football atmosphere, I was just taking it all in. The coaching, the facilities, everything that came with being DI."
On the quarterbacks:
"They can all move, they're all accurate, they can all pass. There's just so many great things you can say about all of them. They're all great in their own way."
Running Back Trent Howland
On improvements in the receiving game:
"I feel like they emphasize working on our hands. As a running back, you've got to be able to catch out of the backfield, so that's one thing I've been emphasizing since the summer. Staying on the JUGS (machine), getting work with the receivers and working with the RBs."
On offensive coordinator Doug Meacham:
"I like the offense that he's bringing in. I like the enthusiasm that he brings with us… He wants to make sure that we're understanding the offense and that we're executing it to the highest level that we can."
Safety Dylan Smith
On the secondary:
"I think the additions that we've made gives us a lot of depth. You can look one-through-three or one-through-four, and a lot of guys are interchangeable. You've got a lot of guys with different skillsets who can bring different things to the table, so I think our secondary is going to be pretty good."
On practicing to get more turnovers:
"That's definitely a big thing. Sometimes, the plays just don't come your way. Just being in the right spot at the right time, doing what you're supposed to do and then when the ball does come your way, you've got to capitalize on it."
Cornerback Jaylin Davies
On his first few months in Stillwater:
"It's been great. I've been transitioning and I feel pretty great right now. I've got practice down, I've been on the team, feels like I know everybody. I've got the plays. Now, I feel them and know them, so it's more reaction instead of thinking. It's been fun."
On the coaching staff:
"They're great. Coach Jules (Montinar) has been showing me everything. He's been showing me how to be a pro, practice like a pro, take notes like a pro, and to really focus on the details. Knowing what everyone else has to do, and what I have to do, it helps. When we have certain leverage, you just know you have to take away certain things and what to look for, like playing the ball more. It's just been a lot of fun."
Head Coach Mike Gundy
On the team's development this spring:
"We're still learning. The offense is a little bit further ahead based on the terminology that Coach Meacham has tied into what we did when he was here before. They're a little different learning curve than what the defense is. They're practicing hard, competing, enthusiastic."
On meshing the secondary:
"I'm hoping in a week and a half that we can get a little more consistency with actually who's out there playing because they're just rotating in… A bunch of them make plays. Right now, because we have so many new guys rotating in, they're with different groups. You might have an experienced guy that's out there with the threes, which are young guys, so it's different."
On the running backs:
"I've always felt comfortable with one guy getting 20 carries a game and feeling like he can establish himself, but he can also save his body and not get beaten up too much… They've been pretty impressive as a group. (Kalib) Hicks has come in, he's experienced. Sesi (Vailahi) has had reps, (Trent Howland) has had reps. Rodney (Fields) has not had a lot of game reps but he had a lot of practice reps last year."
Wide Receiver Ayo Shotomide-King
On the previous season:
"Honestly, I was in awe the whole season. After coming from not being recruited at all in high school, spent two years in junior college and then being in the Division I football atmosphere, I was just taking it all in. The coaching, the facilities, everything that came with being DI."
On the quarterbacks:
"They can all move, they're all accurate, they can all pass. There's just so many great things you can say about all of them. They're all great in their own way."
Running Back Trent Howland
On improvements in the receiving game:
"I feel like they emphasize working on our hands. As a running back, you've got to be able to catch out of the backfield, so that's one thing I've been emphasizing since the summer. Staying on the JUGS (machine), getting work with the receivers and working with the RBs."
On offensive coordinator Doug Meacham:
"I like the offense that he's bringing in. I like the enthusiasm that he brings with us… He wants to make sure that we're understanding the offense and that we're executing it to the highest level that we can."
Safety Dylan Smith
On the secondary:
"I think the additions that we've made gives us a lot of depth. You can look one-through-three or one-through-four, and a lot of guys are interchangeable. You've got a lot of guys with different skillsets who can bring different things to the table, so I think our secondary is going to be pretty good."
On practicing to get more turnovers:
"That's definitely a big thing. Sometimes, the plays just don't come your way. Just being in the right spot at the right time, doing what you're supposed to do and then when the ball does come your way, you've got to capitalize on it."
Cornerback Jaylin Davies
On his first few months in Stillwater:
"It's been great. I've been transitioning and I feel pretty great right now. I've got practice down, I've been on the team, feels like I know everybody. I've got the plays. Now, I feel them and know them, so it's more reaction instead of thinking. It's been fun."
On the coaching staff:
"They're great. Coach Jules (Montinar) has been showing me everything. He's been showing me how to be a pro, practice like a pro, take notes like a pro, and to really focus on the details. Knowing what everyone else has to do, and what I have to do, it helps. When we have certain leverage, you just know you have to take away certain things and what to look for, like playing the ball more. It's just been a lot of fun."
Players Mentioned
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WR
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