Limited in Oklahoma State football camp, Talyn Shettron will be great in 'matter of time'
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State true freshman receiver Talyn Shettron has at times been the talk of the new guys with his impressive athleticism and ability to catch the football.
But his spring finale was cut short with an ankle injury. So far, his first fall camp has been hampered by injuries.
Shettron, a four-star recruit from Edmond Santa Fe, has been limited on the field for the first week.
“Talyn’s been nicked up a little bit,” OSU offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn said. “So, he’s just still trying to work back into the situation. I would love to get him back out there full speed right away. He started off in the beginning of camp and looked good and then was slowed a little bit again.”
The Under Armour All-American is also fighting a battle for playing time behind a talented group of receivers with more experience.
That just allows the Cowboys more time to get Shettron healthy and prepared.
“He’s going to be a great player, no doubt in my mind,” Dunn said. “It’s just a matter of time. It’s when. It's hard to play somebody that hasn’t taken a ton of snaps.
“You got a guy like Braydon Johnson and Jaden Bray in front of him. Those guys in front of him just makes it harder for a young guy to come in and make a play. Timing. But I’ve seen a lot of good things.”
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Derek Mason impressed by Oklahoma State's culture, talent
Derek Mason has coached a lot of places in his three-decade career. And each place is a little different.
Since arriving at Oklahoma State in January, the new defensive coordinator has noticed a couple of unique traits about head coach Mike Gundy’s program.
First is the culture Gundy has instilled in his coaches and players, and second is the staff’s ability to recruit players who excel in that culture.
“What’s been done here in terms of recruiting — you know, everybody talks about stars. It’s about players,” Mason said on Tuesday. “Can guys step between the white lines and play the game that’s needed in the Big 12? This place knows who it is and they recruit to the personality and the skillset of the guy that’s needed. And they never sacrifice that.
“I’m glad to be at a place that really has a philosophy on what they want, what’s needed, and they’re unrelenting about going after that.”
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The prior recruiting efforts of OSU’s defensive staff — linebackers coach Joe Bob Clements, cornerbacks coach Tim Duffie, safeties coach Dan Hammerschmidt and defensive line coach Greg Richmond — will be tested this season as the Cowboys replace six starters between the linebacker and defensive back positions. Several unproven players will be asked to step into critical roles.
Mason says the key to healthy job battles is being “competitive, not combative,” and he likes the attitudes of the players in pursuit of those jobs.
“Everybody’s chasing something,” he said. “We’re chasing the idea of being the best Cowboys we can be. I’ve been a lot of places, and that’s something that’s hard to do. There’s a lot of stimuli nowadays.
“Keeping the main thing the main thing is something I think this place does, probably as good as any.”
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Tyler Lacy seeing time at defensive tackle
On occasion last year in special pass-rush situations, OSU defensive end Tyler Lacy would slide to the middle of the line and play a nose guard role.
Early in camp, that experiment is getting a little more usage — and it’s going quite well.
Physically, Lacy is a beast with speed to give offensive linemen fits. And with such strong depth at defensive end, the Cowboys have the versatility to move the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Lacy to defensive tackle.
“I’m excited to play next to him,” super-senior tackle Sione Asi said. “He’s a great ballplayer. He’s just a natural. Y’all watch him at practice, games — line him up against anybody and he’ll go toe-to-toe with them.
“He’ll be good inside. I feel like he’ll be better inside than outside. He’s more of an inside guy.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: Talyn Shettron battles way back from injuries
