Oklahoma State football names backup QB & more takeaways from Mike Gundy's news conference

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s backup quarterback battle has a resolution when the season begins next week.

First man up: Gunnar Gundy.

The walk-on lefty was announced as the backup quarterback Thursday afternoon by his father and Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy.

“Gunnar,” Mike said when directly asked who would replace veteran Spencer Sanders should he leave the game if his helmet was knocked off. “He’s up next.”

Gunnar edged out true freshman Garret Rangel.

But Mike said both are ready to play in live games. That very well could happen, too.

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“Hopefully, I’m going to be able to get both of those kids reps this year,” Mike said. “I don’t know. We never know what’s going to happen.

“But in our live drills and everything, what (Gunnar has) done is he’s proved to the team he’s good enough to play at this level. The direction it goes based on game reps, that’s yet to be determined.”

Gunnar, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound redshirt freshman who starred at Stillwater High, joined the team in spring 2021 as a walk-on. He entered just one game last season but did not attempt a pass in two drives.

Rangel joined the program early, enrolling in the spring semester after a stellar career at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas. His emergence has created a nice problem for the Cowboys.

“Gunnar has earned the right to be on the field and play if we need him or if we have the luxury to put him in there,” Mike said. “And Rangel has done well enough now to get on the field and play also.

“So, that’s a good spot that we’re in. But that’s even more difficult now that you have three.”

Here are four other takeaways from Gundy’s press conference one week ahead of the Cowboys’ season opener against Central Michigan:

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Kendal Daniels, the ‘Wild Thing’

Gundy loves classic sports movies.

Last week, he talked extensively about “Rocky” as he demonstrated one-armed pushups. Thursday, he turned to baseball classic “Major League.”

This time, he made a fun reference while talking specifically about second-year safety Kendal Daniels, who is listed as a starting safety.

“You know ‘Major League’, the movie, like the Wild Thing?” Gundy said. “He honestly reminds me of the pitcher that’s throwing 100 and not really sure.

“When he lines up, he’s going to look as good as anybody in the country and he’s going to be active and all that. We’re just hoping he’s going the right direction right now.”

Daniels, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound redshirt freshman from Beggs, has been the buzz of fall camp defensively.

“I’m just as excited as you are about watching him,” Gundy said.

Gundy still stressed that mistakes are likely to happen with the second-year player. Daniels will benefit with experienced veterans Jason Taylor II and Thomas Harper on the field.

But the Cowboys are willing to live with some miscues.

“He’s going to make mistakes now, so we have to understand that,” Gundy said. “But he’s going to look really good doing it. And that’s really where he’s at right now. He’s mature, in my opinion, he’s handled himself the way he should, his mind’s clear and I think he’ll play well.”

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Lacy ‘or’ Ford, Martin ‘or’ Oliver. DL versatility showing early

OSU’s initial depth chart generously used “or” in position battles. But none stood out more than those listed at both defensive end positions.

Tyler Lacy and Trace Ford share an “or.” So do Brock Martin and Collin Oliver.

Welcome to figuring out the exact plans of a deep, talented defensive line depth chart.

“Those guys are going to be interchangeable,” Gundy said. “We move those guys around a lot. So, they’ll be all over the place. You won’t really notice much different.”

There are some differences.

Ford, who Gundy said is physically recovered from his two ACL tears, has not usually filled the traditional defensive end role occupied by Lacy. Ford has instead been an edge rusher with Martin and Oliver.

Lacy has also been practicing as a defensive tackle at times, adding even more versatility to the group.

“There’s times we’ll put him at the edge and let him rush and play some downs inside, which is going to help him,” Gundy said. “His mind’s in a good place right now. His work habit’s in a good place right now. So, moving him around and playing some different positions is going to help our team and it's going to help his future.”

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Cowboys healthier at this point than last year

A year ago at this time, Gundy was worried about the health of his team.

Then injuries marred the first four games of the season as the Cowboys survived and advanced.

But this year, Gundy sees things differently.

“We’re better off than we were,” he said. “This time last year, it was really scary. So, we’re further ahead now from a health standpoint than we were at this time last year.”

Gundy did say tight end Blaine Green is not expected to play next week as he deals with a wrist injury. Linebacker Jeff Roberson is also out for the season with an undisclosed injury.

The Cowboys will get defensive tackle Collin Clay back. The former Putnam City star has not played in two seasons due to injuries after he transferred from Arkansas.

Clay is listed as a backup to Brendon Evers.

“I’m very pleased with where he’s at,” Gundy said. “I’m very excited about watching him also. He’s another guy — I mean, he’s got to be 300 now. Yeah, he’s 310 is what they’re saying. He looks really good.

“Where is his endurance? I don’t know. We’ll find out. He hadn’t played since ‘Rocky’ the movie.”

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OSU depth chart observations

With the Cowboys releasing their initial depth chart, here are three observations:

➤ Walk-on Jake Schultz has quickly impressed in his transition to tight end. He’s listed as the “or” starter along with returning veteran Braden Cassity. Schultz, who is from Prague, converted from defensive end in the spring.

➤ Three true freshmen made the depth chart — Rangel, Austin Kawecki and Talyn Shettron. Kawecki, who is from Frisco, is listed as the backup left tackle. Shettron, a former Edmond Santa Fe star, is one of two backups to veteran Braydon Johnson.

➤ The kicker battle appears decided for the moment. Walk-on Tanner Brown is listed as the starter over Alex Hale. Brown took over the duties early last season as Hale struggled in his recovery from a knee injury.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: Mike Gundy talks about backup quarterback job