'Let’s lock in': Why Oklahoma State football's Collin Oliver excited by move to linebacker

STILLWATER — Collin Oliver always seems to be smiling, so it was hard on Tuesday afternoon to discern what was typical and what was new excitement as he talked about his position change within the Oklahoma State defense.

The junior from Edmond Santa Fe burst onto the college football scene in 2021, earning All-Big 12 and Freshman All-America honors as a defensive end.

Like the rest of the defensive line, Oliver saw his production dip last season, but he remained a feared attacker off the edge.

But with the hire of Bryan Nardo as defensive coordinator, bringing his 3-3-5 scheme to the Cowboys, Oliver is stepping backwards into a linebacker role.

He is a likely starter at an outside spot, with Tulsa transfer Justin Wright in the middle. Multiple other players will compete for the third spot.

More:Oklahoma State football facing player turnover, scheme change for defensive line

Having dropped nearly 15 pounds, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Oliver has quickly found a fit at linebacker.

“I’m very comfortable right now,” he said. “It’s coming real natural for me.

“I embraced it. I just told myself, let’s lock in and get this position down.”

Head coach Mike Gundy sees the change as a win all the way around.

“Collin is one of them that we think allows us to become a better defense," Gundy said, "and allows him to be put in a position to better himself for his career."

More:What Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy said about Bryan Nardo, spring practice & more

Preston Wilson comfortable at guard

Over his career, Preston Wilson has started multiple games at four different positions on the offensive line. After spending last season at center, the redshirt senior is sliding over a spot to guard, where he says he’s most comfortable.

“Guard just came natural,” the 6-foot-5, 295-pound Wilson said. “It’s a change. No season has been the same for me. I’ve played just about everywhere and I’ve loved every second of it. Going into this year at right guard, I love it. Let’s do it.”

With the increased emphasis on the run game, along with some scheme changes this spring, Wilson says the veterans of the group — they have seven redshirt seniors and a redshirt junior, all of whom have been starters at some point — is comfortable with the adjustments being made.

“It doesn’t feel a whole lot different for the offensive line,” he said. “We’ve made it our goal to run the football. That’s what we take personal. We’ll leave it to Coach to scheme everything up and make the right calls.

“It’s been good so far. The run-throughs we’ve done have been crisp and clean. I really like what we have going on here.”

As the Cowboys get away from their zone blocking schemes, one change has involved the addition of pulling moves for guards, allowing them to get out and run to make blocks.

“I like pulling,” Wilson said. “As long as you know what you’re doing and know how to keep your head on a swivel, it’s a good time.”

More:Why this spring is chance for Oklahoma State football to reinvent its offensive line

Lyric Rawls carrying bowl momentum

Redshirt sophomore Lyric Rawls entered the winter believing he would be in line for a starting role in one of the three safety spots, so when Bryan Nardo was hired as defensive coordinator in January, Rawls immediately began his homework.

“I had to see where he was coming from, you know? I wanted to watch some of their clips,” Rawls said of Nardo’s previous school, Gannon University. “I like how they was able to fly around. I like how the safeties were making a lot of tackles, and that’s what I’m willing to be ready to do.”

A 6-foot-1, 212-pound safety, Rawls mostly played on special teams and in a backup role last season, but saw increased playing time late in the year. He had 12 of his 24 tackles in the final two games, including two tackles for loss and his first career sack.

That came in the bowl loss to Wisconsin, where he also had a forced fumble, sending himself into the offseason on a high note.

“That was a great game for me to be able to showcase what I’m capable of doing,” Rawls said. “Now that’s gone. I gotta go show more for this upcoming season.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: Collin Oliver excited by move to linebacker