Oklahoma State Football Updated Tulsa Starting Lineup Projection: Who's Up, Who's Down on Depth Chart
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With two scrimmages down, the Oklahoma State Cowboys now have less than two weeks of preparation for their Sept. 5 opener against Tulsa.
The starting lineup and the depth chart is beginning to get narrowed down. New head coach Eric Morris is expected to speak to reporters on Tuesday, which is his traditional media day during the season, where he'll likely breakdown what happened during the second scrimmage on Saturday.
Until then, the starting lineup is adjusted based on what Morris said last week, practice reports and anticipated position battles during Saturday's scrimmage. Oklahoma State on SI’s two-player depth chart will be updated later in the week.
Offense
Quarterback
Drew Mestemaker
Mestemaker did a round of interview last week in which he discussed why he thinks the Cowboys can be a successful team this year and about the road not taken. He revealed four teams that caught his eye during the transfer portal process. But no one was turning him away from OSU.
The real question is who backs up him? Morris hasn’t spoken since Saturday’s scrimmage, and a depth chart is unlikely until the week of the Tulsa game.
Running Back
Caleb Hawkins
Hawkins might be the best running back Morris has ever coached, and he’s only played for him a year. His blend of speed and size is enviable. So are the stable of backs that will give Hawkins a breather during the season. It’s an enviable rotation, one that is filled with production and talent. But Hawkins will start. There is now question.
Wide Receivers
Wyatt Young, Chris Barnes, Justin Bowick
Morris appears more focused on figuring out the remaining members of the wide receiver rotation than he is the starters, who seem set in stone at this point. Young, Barnes and Bowick won’t take every snap, especially in the early summer heat (September technically is still summer). But these three will be the ones Morris leans on early.
Tight End
Carson Kolb
Morris made waves by saying that if the season started last week the Oregon State transfer — who has yet to make a catch in his college career — would probably get the start. Oscar Hammond and Donovan Green are in the mix, so it will be interesting to hear Morris’ perspective on the race when he talks to the media this week, most likely on Tuesday.
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Jacob Sexton
Left Guard: Joseph Hanson
Center: Tyler Mercer
Right guard: Johnny Dixon III
Right tackle: Shaun Toregson
Morris leaned into setting a rotation for his offensive line last week. Even if Braydon Nelson is ready medically by the opener, he’ll probably need time to get into game shape which makes Sexton the best option. Hanson and Dixon are locked in at guard, though they could flip sides. Morris made it clear Mercer was the starter at center.
The only true competition left is between Shaun Toregson and Ashton Lepo at right tackle. Lepo comes from a bigger program at Michigan State, but Torgeson logged more than 700 snaps last season at Portland State. It felt like Morris was leaning toward Torgeson last week.
Defensive Line
Defensive End: Jaleel Johnson, James Williams
Defensive Tackle: Saadiq Clements, Jerry Lawson
Morris pointed out that he felt Williams had a good first scrimmage so it will be interesting to find out if he built on that on Saturday. There are no changes here because Morris has been less willing to “name” starters on that side of the ball, in all likelihood deferring that to feedback from defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity (who has declined to name “starters” as well).
For now, these four seem like the most likely starters against Tulsa. But Cassity has made it clear he intends to rotation liberally up front.
Linebacker
Linebacker: Ethan Wesloski, Isaiah Chisom
Unless there is an injury, it seems unlikely the Cowboys will go any other way here. Wesloski and Chisom combined for more than 200 tackles last season. That’s production you don’t ignore. Tate Romney and Dallas Winner-Johnson are fighting for back-up roles and should get them. But they’re also fighting for reps when the Cowboys go to a three-man defensive line, which Cassity says they’ll do from time to time to mix up fronts.
Secondary
Cornerback: LaDanian Fields, Mo Horn
Safety: Quinton Hammonds, Evan Jackson, Christian Bodnar
There have been other impressive defensive backs during fall camp and Morris has pointed out several. But these five are the ones that have gotten the most attention and should be the starters. Fields has the potential to be an all-Big 12 player. Few defensive backs on the roster are as experienced as Horn. Hammonds and Jackson played for Cassity last year at North Texas. Bodnar is uniquely suited to be the nickel back with both corner and safety experience at Liberty.
Special Teams
Punter: Lachie Pozzobon
Kicker: Sam Keltner
Holder: Nate Ost
Kickoff Returner: Chris Barnes
Punt Returner: Miles Coleman
There has never been doubt about Pozzobon, Keltner or Ost. Barnes and Coleman should be part of returns teams but won’t be the only ones.
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Matthew Postins is the publisher of Oklahoma State on SI. He is an award-winning sports journalist who was formerly the editor of the College Football America Yearbook and covers the Big 12 Conference for Heartland College Sports.
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