Oklahoma State football will look to replicate consistency in kicking game
STILLWATER — From a kicking perspective, Oklahoma State will have all new pieces anchoring its special teams play in 2023.
New punter, new placekicker, new longsnapper.
And while there’s plenty of excitement about the new faces, the Cowboys are losing some consistency.
With the start of spring football less than a week away, let’s take a look at Oklahoma State’s special teams positions:
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Season rewind
The consistency of last year’s group was key.
Matt Hembrough never had a bad snap in his career, and was considered one of the best in the country in his role.
Tom Hutton had become highly regarded for his ability to locate punts, which greatly limited return yards. And even when he got hurt, Logan Ward proved to be a strong-legged replacement.
Placekicker Tanner Brown — who wasn’t even brought to OSU to kick field goals two years ago — missed just one kick in 23 attempts last season, and was perfect on extra points.
So the Cowboys have a lot to replace moving forward.
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Who’s out
Longsnapper Matt Hembrough, punter Tom Hutton, placekicker Tanner Brown
Who’s in
Punter Hudson Kaak, placekicker Thomas Murray, longsnapper Shea Freibaum, punter Wes Pahl
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The take
The new faces aren’t entirely new this year.
For instance, placekicker Alex Hale was the starter — and a good one — until he tore his ACL in pregame warmups for the 2020 Bedlam game. He must regain his consistency from that season, but has some valuable experience in his background.
Ward was a solid fill-in at punter last year, but the Cowboys added Hudson Kaak from ProKick Australia, as well as walk-on transfer Wes Pahl from Western Kentucky. That likely leads to Ward getting a longer look in competition with Hale, and as the kickoff specialist, a role he handled well much of last season.
Longsnapper Zeke Zaragoza is in his third year at OSU after transferring from junior college, and has been training behind Hembrough throughout that time.
In the return game, most of the options are still around, with guys like Brennan Presley and Jaden Nixon, plus the addition of Iowa transfer Arland Bruce IV.
OSU’s coverage teams have improved over the last few years as head coach Mike Gundy focused on using more scholarships for defensive players, particularly in the secondary. And the depth at the positions most often used for coverage units are solid.
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Depth chart
Placekicker
Alex Hale, RSr.*, 6-0, 205
Logan Ward, RSo., 6-0, 210
Punter
Hudson Kaak, Fr., 6-1, 222
Wes Pahl, RJr., 6-5, 200
Longsnapper
Zeke Zaragoza, RSr.*, 5-10 , 205
Osker Ehrlich, RFr., 6-3, 200
Kick returner
Brennan Presley, Sr., 5-8, 175
Jaden Nixon, RSo., 5-10, 185
Punt returner
Brennan Presley, Sr., 5-8, 175
Arland Bruce IV, Jr., 5-10, 200
*-Super-senior
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football hopes to replicate consistency in kicking game
