LAS VEGAS — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy spoke Tuesday about his decision not to suspend running back Ollie Gordon II following his arrest in late June on suspicion of driving under the influence, but when he took the big stage at the Big 12 Media Days, the topic remained a focus of discussion.
Gundy was asked how Gordon has handled the situation in the 10 days since his arrest.
“Yesterday we had another hour-long conversation and it was actually the first time he smiled,” Gundy said. “I think it affected him like it would most people. We brought him here today so you could ask him this question. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to bring you here.
“The other thing I shared with Ollie yesterday… I’ve already made the decisions that I think are best for you and this team, and you need to make the decisions and the comments that you think are best for you and the team. And after today, it’s over.”
More: Ollie Gordon II will not be suspended after arrest, Mike Gundy says at Big 12 Media Days
Improving defense remains critical
A year ago at this time, OSU had a lot of excitement about its defense, but also a lot of uncertainty with a new defensive coordinator and few returning starters.
This year, the Cowboys have more reason to believe they can improve on last season’s statistically poor performance.
“We have a very athletic defense, in my opinion,” Gundy said. “We can run and get to the ball. We made some adjustments in terms of layout. Not a lot.
“I think our players will have a better feel for our system and it will allow us to play faster and get to the ball. We need to attack better and we got out of place with some passes. If we can eliminate those two things and minimize them, we will be a better defense.”
More: 2024 USA Today Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team: Ollie Gordon II Is Player of the Year
Alan Bowman, remarkable old man
Gundy joked that his seventh-year senior quarterback, Alan Bowman, has played in almost every stadium in the country, but will play in a few new ones this year, at BYU and Colorado.
However, it’s the 24-year-old Bowman’s maturity that Gundy sees as one of the quarterback’s most important traits.
“Alan did a great job adapting to our culture and joining Oklahoma State University,” Gundy said. “He is very mature. He is engaged to be married. He already has two degrees.
“He has a good sense of us and our system. It has been around for a long time. I think the experience he brings to our team, the players’ respect and belief in him at the moment are what benefit us the most at the moment.”
More: Oklahoma State football very early, game-by-game predictions for the Cowboys’ 2024 season
Welcoming Deion Sanders to the Big 12
For years, Gundy has been the most interesting personality among the Big 12 coaches, but he finally has some real competition with the addition of Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders.
And Gundy enjoyed getting to know Sanders better, which began at the spring meetings in April when Gundy was the coaches meeting chairman.
“I have a lot of respect for Coach’s career,” Gundy said. “I know a lot more about him as a player than as a coach, because he hasn’t trained at this level for a long time.
“It was very pleasant to be in a room with him and receive his input on various topics we discussed. And I think we’re lucky he’s with us, because he brings more notoriety and viewers to the Big 12 Conference. We want people to see our teams play and it will be fun to have in our league. I can only imagine what his competitive level is, so it will be fun to have him in the league.”
More: Oklahoma State football great Leslie O’Neal will join Cowboys’ Ring of Honor
Roster updates for newcomers
The Cowboys released their updated roster for the fall, which had few surprises.
The update included freshmen from the 2024 signing class who were not on campus, the three transfers who arrived in early June and the latest class of additions.
Here are some of the most interesting updates:
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The trio of transfers were listed as expected, with receivers Da’Wain Lofton from Virginia Tech and Gavin Freeman from OU, as well as running back Trent Howland from Indiana, who is 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds.
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Some of the new high school players have already arrived with significant weight based on where they were listed in high school. Offensive lineman Nuku Mafi added 25 pounds, now listed at 320. Defensive lineman Luke Webb added 15 pounds, now at 290. And 6-foot-1 cornerback Jacobi Oliphant comes in at 195, which is 20 pounds heavier than his weight in high school. .
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The in-person class included a quarterback, with Garret Wilson from Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond, as well as twin offensive linemen in Aiden and Ashton Issacs from Cincinnati. Ashton is the larger of the two at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds. And the group also includes OU transfer Reed DeQuaise, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound redshirt freshman from Carl Albert High School.
This article originally appeared in the Oklahoman: OSU coach Mike Gundy excited about Deion Sanders’ Big 12 football debut
