Mike Gundy hates talking about it. Every Monday at the Boone Pickens Stadium press conferences, reporters scramble to get a peek at the updated depth chart Oklahoma state releases, and usually, it's covered in "OR" designations. You know the ones. It's that classic coaching move where two players are listed as starters because the staff doesn't want to tip their hand—or maybe they just haven't decided.
Honestly, looking at the Cowboys' roster right now is a bit like trying to solve a puzzle while the pieces are still being cut. We’re seeing a massive shift in how the Pokes build their identity. Gone are the days of just "Air Raid" leftovers. Now, it's about veteran stability and a defensive secondary that has to play about a thousand snaps a game because of how fast the Big 12 operates.
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The Quarterback Room Isn't Just One Name
Everyone focuses on the QB1. Obviously. But the depth chart Oklahoma state utilizes is deeper than just the guy taking the first snap on Saturday. When you look at the progression from Alan Bowman to the younger guys like Zane Flores, you see a clear philosophy. Gundy is obsessed with experience. He’s been burned before by throwing a freshman into the fire too early—remember the growing pains of some past starters?—so he leans on the portal.
Bowman brought a level of "been there, done that" which stabilized the locker room. But the real story is the backup battle. If the starter goes down in the third quarter against Utah or Kansas State, is the season over? Probably not. The coaching staff has been high on Flores' arm talent for two years. He's got that "it" factor, though he hasn't had the meaningful reps to prove it under the bright lights of a Saturday night in Stillwater.
It's kinda funny how fans react to the QB list. One bad throw and everyone wants the backup. One great drive and the starter is a Heisman candidate. The reality is that the internal ranking is much more fluid than the PDF the athletic department blasts out to the media.
The Ollie Gordon Factor and the Backfield
You can’t talk about the offensive depth chart Oklahoma state without mentioning #0. Ollie Gordon II changed the entire math for this program. When you have a Doak Walker winner, the rest of the depth chart is basically fighting for scraps.
But here is what most people get wrong: the backup running back at OSU isn't just a placeholder. Sesi Vailahi and the rest of the room provide the "lightning" to Ollie’s "thunder." You've seen it in the late third quarter when defenses are tired of tackling a 225-pound tank. That's when the speedsters come in and rip off a 20-yard gain on a simple stretch play.
- The Lead Dog: Ollie Gordon (Workhorse)
- The Change of Pace: Sesi Vailahi (Speed/Receiving)
- The Hard-Nosed Junior: Relentless blocking and short-yardage specialists.
The offensive line is where the real "beef" is, though. They returned nearly 200 career starts across the front five recently. That’s unheard of in the transfer portal era. Dalton Cooper and Joe Michalski aren't just names; they are the reason Gordon can even find a hole. When the depth chart Oklahoma state boasts that much veteran presence on the line, the play-calling changes. Kasey Dunn can actually be aggressive because he knows the protection won't crumble in 2.1 seconds.
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Bryan Nardo’s 3-3-5 Evolution
Defense in the Big 12 is basically a nightmare. You’re defending 80 plays a game, most of them in space. When Bryan Nardo took over the defense, he brought that 3-3-5 look that relies heavily on "Rover" and "Leo" positions. This makes the depth chart Oklahoma state defense look a bit weird if you’re used to a traditional 4-3.
The linebackers are the glue. Nick Martin is a tackling machine. Seriously, watch his film—he’s everywhere. He’s the type of player who makes the depth chart feel top-heavy because he refuses to come off the field.
- Collin Oliver: He’s the hybrid. Is he a linebacker? A defensive end? Both. He’s the guy every offensive coordinator has to circle in red.
- Kendal Daniels: In the secondary, Daniels is a giant. He plays that safety/linebacker hybrid role that allows OSU to disguise coverages.
- The Cornerback Rotation: This is where things get dicey. Gundy likes to rotate three or four corners to keep legs fresh for those fourth-quarter drives.
The problem with a 3-3-5 is that if your front three don't get pressure, the secondary gets shredded. That's why the defensive tackle rotation is so vital. You'll see names like Justin Kirkland eating up double teams so the linebackers can fly downhill. It’s unselfish football, and it’s why the Pokes stay competitive even when they’re outmatched on paper.
Why the "OR" Matters More Than You Think
We mentioned those "OR" designations earlier. They aren't just coach-speak. In the current era of the transfer portal, keeping players engaged is a full-time job. If a guy sees he’s "Second String" with no hope of starting, he’s in the portal by December.
By listing multiple players as potential starters on the depth chart Oklahoma state official release, Gundy keeps the competition alive in practice. It’s psychological. It says, "Hey, you haven't lost the job yet, but he’s right on your heels."
Special Teams: The Hidden Edge
Most fans skip the bottom of the page. Big mistake. Oklahoma State has a weirdly consistent history of elite punters and kickers. Hudson Kaak and the kicking unit are often the difference between a 10-win season and a 7-win season.
Field position is a religion in Stillwater. Gundy would rather punt and pin you at the 2-yard line than take a risky fourth-down conversion at midfield. That puts a lot of pressure on the punter. When you look at the depth chart Oklahoma state specialists, you're looking at the guys who actually win the "hidden yardage" battle.
Navigating the Transfer Portal Impact
The roster you see in August is never the roster you see in November. Injuries happen, sure, but the "depth" part of the depth chart is tested by the portal. OSU has been aggressive in bringing in guys like Kobe Hylton or other veteran defenders to plug holes.
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The reality of 2026 college football is that the depth chart Oklahoma state produces is a living document. It’s a snapshot of a moment in time. The coaching staff is constantly evaluating "Power 4" talent versus "Developmental" talent. Gundy has always been a "develop" guy, but the new Big 12 doesn't always give you three years to let a kid grow into his frame.
Identifying the Breakout Candidates
Keep an eye on the wide receiver room. Behind the established names like Rashod Owens and Brennan Presley, there’s always a sophomore ready to explode. Talyn Shettron is a name that keeps popping up in spring ball. When the defense starts doubling Presley in the slot, the outside guys on the depth chart Oklahoma state has waiting are going to see one-on-one coverage. That’s how stars are born in this system.
Strategic Takeaways for the Season
If you're following the Cowboys this year, don't just look at who is starting. Look at the second unit on the offensive line and the rotation at safety.
- Watch the snap counts: If a backup is getting 15-20 snaps a game, he’s being groomed for a starting role next month.
- Ignore the "OR": Usually, the first name listed is the guy who walks out for the first series, but the second guy is often the "situational" specialist.
- The "Leo" Position: This is the barometer for the defense. If the Leo is getting pressure, the depth chart Oklahoma state defense is functioning. If not, it's going to be a long afternoon for the safeties.
The most important thing to remember is that Mike Gundy’s program is built on "Cowboy Culture." It sounds like a cliché, but it shows up in the depth. These are guys who stick around. They wait their turn. In a world of instant gratification, the depth chart Oklahoma state maintains is surprisingly loyal.
To get the most out of following the roster, check the official game notes released every Tuesday. Compare the "Starts" column to the "Games Played" column. You’ll quickly see who the "quiet" contributors are—the guys who don't get the headlines but play 50 snaps on special teams and goal-line packages. That's where the real games are won.
Monitor the injury report closely during the midweek sessions, as Gundy is notoriously tight-lipped about "lower-body injuries." Usually, if a player disappears from the two-deep without explanation, it’s a sign that the "OR" below him is about to become the permanent fixture for the foreseeable future. Observe the body language of the backups during warmups; in Stillwater, the next man up is expected to play like an All-American from the first whistle.