Get to know the 26 players Oklahoma State football will recognize on Senior Day

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State is expected to recognize 26 seniors on Saturday, with eight super-seniors in the group. The rest will have an additional year of eligibility if they choose to use it.

OSU hosts West Virginia at 11 a.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium, with Senior Day activities set to be held before kickoff.

Here’s a look at the OSU seniors:

More:OSU 3-2-1 kickoff: How will Oklahoma State QB Spencer Sanders respond vs. West Virginia?

Super-seniors

Players who are not eligible to return next season:

Sione Asi, defensive tackle: After transferring from Snow College in Utah, Asi spent four seasons at OSU, redshirting in 2019. He has appeared in 38 career games, starting every one this season. He has 44 tackles with 11.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks in his career.

Tanner Brown, placekicker: Added to the roster as a walk-on last year simply to handle kickoffs, Brown took over the starting placekicker job five games into the season and has been stellar, hitting 36 of 41 field goals and all 75 of his extra points the past two seasons.

Brendon Evers, defensive tackle: The sixth-year senior had to call it quits earlier this year after shoulder injuries sidelined him, but he was a crucial player on the Cowboys’ standout defensive lines the past few seasons. Over 52 career games, he had 46 tackles with 7.5 for loss sand 4.0 sacks.

More:How should OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders be remembered? His coach says as 'a gladiator'

Matt Hembrough, long snapper: Regarded as one of the top longsnappers in the country, Hembrough hasn’t had a snapping incident over the past three seasons, serving for all punts, field goals and extra points. The Lisle, Illinois, native is on the watch list for the Patrick Mannelly Award given to the nation’s best longsnapper.

Vance Hooper, receiver: A walk-on who transferred to OSU after two seasons at Southern Nazarene, the McKinney, Texas, native has appeared in two career games while also serving as a valuable scout-team player.

Braydon Johnson, receiver: Slowed by injuries much of the last two seasons, Johnson has been a reliable receiver throughout his career, totaling 1,255 yards and eight touchdowns in 44 games. He has three career 100-yard games, two of which came this season.

Brock Martin, defensive end: A stalwart of the Cowboy defense for several years, Martin has 137 tackles, 36 for loss, 16 sacks and 21 quarterback hurries over his 60-game career. Despite battling multiple injuries through the years, he has never missed more than one game in a season.

C.J. Tate, receiver: The nephew of former OSU quarterback Toné Jones, Tate is from Putnam City North High School and walked on after starting his career at Tabor College. He has been an important scout-team member and appeared in eight games this season as a backup receiver and special teams player.

More:'We take it personal': How Oklahoma State's offensive line is looking to close strong

Seniors

Players eligible for super-senior season if they choose to use it:

Xavier Benson, linebacker: Benson is listed as a redshirt junior, but is a fifth-year player because he opted out of the 2020 season. In one year at OSU, the Tyler, Texas, native has 63 tackles as a starting linebacker.

Lamont Bishop, linebacker: A junior-college transfer who has been a regularly used backup the past two seasons, compiling 22 tackles, a sack and a safety in 24 games.

More:Oklahoma State football rewind: Top players, bowl odds & redshirt tracker

Braden Cassity, tight end: Recruited as a defensive end, Cassity converted to tight end as a sophomore and became a regular starter. Though he’s been used more as a blocker, he has caught 10 passes for 128 yards the past two seasons.

Sean Michael Flanagan, safety: Flanagan has been a regular special teams player, while waiting his turn to become a defensive starter this season. For his career, he has appeared in 46 games, making 78 tackles with five pass breakups.

Alex Hale, placekicker: A torn ACL in November 2020 derailed a strong season for the Australian, who was 13-of-14 on field goals that year. He has primarily served as a backup to Tanner Brown the past two seasons.

Thomas Harper, safety: Though injuries have limited him this season, Harper has been a regular player over his four years in Stillwater, appearing in 42 games and making 94 tackles with two interceptions.

Tom Hutton, punter: Has already announced he won’t stay for a super-senior season. The 32-year-old and his wife plan to return to Australia after he earns his construction technology degree in May. Hutton was a masterful target punter, averaging 41.4 yards per punt for his career with 93 punts downed inside the 20 and just 11 touchbacks in 233 career attempts.

Ben Kopenski, defensive end: An unrecruited walk-on who earned a spot on the team via tryout, Kopenski worked his way into the playing rotation among a talented group of defensive ends. He has appeared in 25 games, recording 13 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Tyler Lacy, defensive lineman: A four-year starter, Lacy’s strength — and more recently, his versatility — have been highly valuable to the Cowboy defense. He has 113 tackles and 11.5 sacks over 44 career games.

Nathan Latu, defensive end: A junior-college transfer who has become an impactful player this season, in which he has 11 tackles with 3.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks.

Rylan McQuarters, receiver: The son of former Cowboy R.W. McQuarters walked on this season and has suited up for most games, playing in one.

Spencer Sanders, quarterback: One of the most accomplished quarterbacks in OSU history, Sanders will finish the season at or near the top of the charts in several major statistical categories. He is currently second to Mason Rudolph in school history for wins, passing yards and total offense, while holding the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

More:Avoiding another 'timid' start a point of emphasis for Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State football

Carson Shelton, offensive lineman: A high school teammate of Sanders at Denton (Texas) Ryan, Shelton is a walk-on who transferred to OSU from Angelo State.

Jason Taylor II, safety: Known for his knack for making big plays in crucial situations, Taylor was a longtime special teams contributor before becoming a starter last year. For his career, the Midwest City native and Carl Albert High product has 159 tackles and seven interceptions in 52 games.

Samuela Tuihalamaka, defensive tackle: Yet another key defensive lineman on this list, Tuihalamaka has played in 32 games, compiling 47 tackles with 8.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks in his career.

Kanion Williams, safety: A Dallas native who has been a key player on special teams throughout his career, compiling 35 tackles in 42 games played.

Hunter Woodard, offensive lineman: Now in his third year as a starter, though he has missed multiple games with an injury, Woodard has been a highly reliable blocker throughout his career.

Zeke Zaragoza, long snapper: A walk-on who has backed up Hembrough the past three seasons, seeing action in four games.

More:Tramel: Gradual slide of Oklahoma State football's offense is root of disappointing season

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: Meet OSU Cowboys players in 2022 senior class