STILLWATER — With the start of spring practice over two weeks away, the peak of intrigue around Oklahoma State football remains on all that is new.
More than 30 new players on the roster for spring, with almost as many set to arrive in June.
New coordinators and assistants on both sides of the ball after head coach Mike Gundy rebuilt his entire staff of offensive and defensive coaches.
After a 3-9 season, the worst in Gundy’s 20-year tenure, the vibes that come from what is new provide a sense of distance from the disappointment of last fall.
But this edition of the Cowboys won’t survive on new players alone.
Many returning faces will be counted on in major roles, so let’s take a look at a few of them who have a lot on the line in spring.
Here are five returning OSU players with the most to gain during spring practice:
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Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Zane Flores (6) warms up before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
Out of the four quarterbacks on the roster, Flores is the only one who hasn’t played in a college game. Yet his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame and strong right arm still provide loads of excitement.
He’s generated plenty of buzz from his performances in practice over his two seasons at OSU and the next two months provide the first real opportunity to elevate himself into competition for the starting job.
Redshirt junior Garret Rangel has the experience edge and TCU transfer Hauss Hejny has the familiarity with new offensive coordinator Doug Meacham. But neither of those closes the door on Flores’ potential.
Though Hejny is known for his quickness as a runner, Flores has proven his speed…
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