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Oklahoma State football: What can the Cowboys do for an encore in 2022?

By John Scimeca

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys talks with cornerback Korie Black #4 during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys talks with cornerback Korie Black #4 during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Offense

OSU is a legitimate favorite to win the Big 12 and to be a Top 10 squad because of the return of Spencer Sanders as quarterback. A Cowboy since 2018, Sanders has been the team’s starting signal-caller since his redshirt freshman season in 2019 after sitting out a year.

The Denton, Tex. native earned 2021 first-team All-Big 12 honors after leading the conference in total offense and offensive yards per game. He finished the season with 2,839 passing yards and 668 rushing yards. His rushing total was the sixth-best among all Power Five quarterbacks, and he joined former OSU quarterback Brandon Weeden (2010) as the only two Cowboy quarterbacks to earn first-team all-conference honors.

Sanders wasn’t perfect last year, but his decision-making and poise in the pocket were dramatically improved. He did throw costly interceptions in the Big 12 title game loss to Baylor, but overall, his play in 2021 was stellar as the Cowboys won 12 games and score more than 31 points per game.

OSU must replace several talented skill position players that graduated after transferring to finish their collegiate careers at Stillwater, including wide receiver Tay Martin and running back Jaylen Warren.

Look for former Bishop McGuinness standout Dominic Richardson to start as the team’s lead back in 2022. He made the most of limited opportunities last season, including 12 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns against TCU. His explosiveness should help him have a breakout performance this year in the OSU backfield.

The OSU offensive line, though it loses several key starters, has been solid this spring and in fall camp and will hope to remain injury-free in order to protect Sanders in the pocket.

At wide receiver, look for true freshman Braylin Presley to make an immediate impact. The 2021 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year from Bixby is a dynamic speedster who should pair well with an Edmond Santa Fe product, Tayln Shettron, who is also a highly touted high school recruit.

Braylin’s older brother, Brennan Presley, is OSU’s leading returning wideout after tallying 50 catches for 619 yards and five touchdowns in 2021.

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