Oklahoma State Star Linebacker Set to Return in 2024
One of Oklahoma State’s best defenders is coming back for the 2024 season.
On Wednesday, linebacker Collin Oliver announced on social media that he would be back in Stillwater next season. While Ollie Gordon II’s return was the most important for the Cowboys, Oliver’s defensive impact may make him the biggest name to return for Bryan Nardo.
After playing as a defensive end for his first two seasons at OSU, Oliver switched to linebacker in the 2023 season. He had one of his most productive seasons yet.
Oliver’s dominance on the line of scrimmage has always been apparent, and with 15.5 tackles for loss, he showcased his ability. That number matched his freshman season in 2021, but his sack numbers could not get back to that level this season.
He finished with six sacks in 2023 to get him to 21.5 in his career. One of his biggest games this season came against Kansas when he had seven tackles and 2.5 sacks in OSU’s upset victory.
Of course, Oliver’s biggest sack of his career came in the final moments of his first Bedlam game. His sack on Caleb Williams on fourth down sealed OSU’s win against Oklahoma and kept OSU’s College Football Playoff hopes alive.
While his move to linebacker saw a decrease in snaps at the line of scrimmage, he was an incredibly disruptive defensive star. He finished fourth in tackles for the Cowboys with 73 and led the Cowboys in forced fumbles with four.
While he spent most of his time at linebacker, when the Cowboys needed him most, he was given the green light to rush the quarterback, and results often followed. As such a dynamic playmaker, Oliver’s fourth season with the Cowboys could be his best.
With Oklahoma and Texas gone to the SEC, Oliver’s return is the latest move that solidifies OSU’s status as a Big 12 contender in 2024.
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