The NFL preseason has come and gone, and we’re one week away from the start of actual professional football. Teams also finalized their active rosters this week.

So let’s put a bow on the preseason with some highlight plays made by OSU alums and then we’ll take a look at where your favorite former Pokes landed ahead of Week 1.

First, the highlights.

Jaylen Warren Can’t Be Stopped

The Jaylen Warren hype train is barreling through the Steel City, and it’s fueled on preseason TDs.

Warren showed again why he figures to be a key cog in the Steelers’ offense this season with this second-effort score against the Falcons.

Devin Harper Gets to the QB

Harper’s spot on the Cowboys’ roster was pretty secure, especially with the recent injury of third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown.

Here Harper makes a nice stop behind the line of scrimmage.

Tylan Talks Roster Spot

Tylan Wallace made some big plays this offseason, but the highlight for him was not hearing from the Ravens come roster-cut time on Tuesday.

Tyron Reels One In

Tyron Johnson hauled one in from former Big 12 foe Will Grier. Johnson did not make the Cowboys’ 53-man roster but he was signed to the practice squad. He finished Dallas’ final preseason game with five catches for 90 yards.

Roster Cuts/Updates

NFL teams trimmed their active rosters down this week, and 15 former Pokes are currently listed on the final 53 for his respective team.

Fourth-round pick Tyler Lacy made the Jags’ roster.

The Los Angeles Rams kept Jason Taylor II as a seventh-round pick but did not retain kicker Tanner Brown. They currently don’t have a kicker on their roster. None of the other undrafted free agents are currently on an active roster, as of writing.

College football is back in full swing this weekend with five straight days of action.

Oklahoma State kicks off its season at 6 p.m. Saturday with a game against Central Arkansas, but here are a boatload of other games to keep an eye on from now through Monday.

Big 12 Schedule

UCF vs. Kent State — 6 p.m. Thursday on FS1
Kansas vs. Missouri State — 7 p.m. Friday on ESPN+
No. 17 TCU vs. Colorado — 11 a.m. Saturday on FOX
No. 20 Oklahoma vs. Arkansas State — 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN
Iowa State vs. Northern Iowa — 1 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
No. 11 Texas vs. Rice — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on FOX
Cincinnati vs. Eastern Kentucky — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
No. 16 Kansas State vs. Southeast Missouri State — 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
Baylor vs. Texas State — 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
Houston vs. UTSA — 6 p.m. Saturday on FS1
Oklahoma State vs. Central Arkansas — 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+
West Virginia at No. 7 Penn State — 6:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC
Texas Tech at Wyoming — 6:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS
BYU vs. Sam Houston — 9:15 p.m. on FS1

The big one here for OSU fans is obviously the Cowboys’ season-opener against Central Arkansas, but there is plenty of good stuff before that game. And if you have a multi-screen setup, there is other good stuff going on during the Cowboys’ game.

We’ll get our first look at the Big 12 version of the Bounce House on Thursday night when UCF hosts Kent State. Then Friday Jalon Daniels and the Jayhawks start their highest-anticipated season in years with a game against Missouri State.

TCU’s matchup with future Big 12 foe Colorado ought to be a fun one in the morning time slot Saturday. It’s the reigning national runner-up vs. the start of the Deion Sanders era.

Houston and UTSA ought to be interesting for the multi-screen viewers. The Cougars are also set to wear Houston Oilers-inspired jerseys.

The Mountaineers heading to Happy Valley will either be fun or a slaughter. Then we’ll get one of our first looks at #Big12AfterDark when BYU hosts Sam Houston late on FS1.

Thursday Night Fun

Kent State at UCF — 6 p.m. Thursday on FS1
Florida at No. 14 Utah — 7 p.m. Thursday on ESPN
Nebraska at Minnesota — 7 p.m. Thursday on FOX
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Tulsa — 7 p.m. Thursday on ESPN+
Southern Utah at Arizona State — 9 p.m. Thursday on Pac-12 Network

Along with UCF kicking off its life in the Big 12, there are some fun games Thursday night.

Florida and Utah are obvious headliners, and Brett McMurphy has tweeted out some interesting stats Thursday morning regarding that game. On the Florida side, this will be the Gators’ first nonconference road game outside of Florida since losing to Syracuse in 1991, per McMurphy. For Utah, the Utes have lost five consecutive games against nonconference Power Five teams, per McMurphy.

There is also a little Week 1 Big Ten football with Nebraska heading to Minnesota. Can Matt Rhule turn the Huskers around?

Then the Kevin Wilson era of Tulsa football gets kicked off with a game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Golden Hurricane’s roster includes a handful of former Pokes, as well, with Braylin Presley, Ben Kopenski, Kanion Williams and Demarco Jones all making Tulsa’s two-deep.

Lastly, if you can track down the Pac-12 network, you can get a look at OSU’s Week 2 opponent Arizona State as the Sun Devils start their season by hosting Southern Utah.

Other Saturday Samplers

No. 3 Ohio State at Indiana — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on FOX
Boise State at No. 10 Washington — 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC
No. 21 North Carolina at South Carolina — 6:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC
South Alabama at No. 24 Tulane — 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU

Most of these are fairly self-explanatory. The most intriguing of that bunch to me is North Carolina at South Carolina. It’s Drake Maye vs. Spencer Rattler. It’s Mack Brown vs. Beamer Ball.

Another interesting watch is South Alabama (OSU’s Week 3 opponent) at Tulane. This has to be the Group of Five game of the week with Tulane being ranked and South Alabama receiving votes in the polls. If the Jaguars can overcome the Green Wave, South Alabama’s trip to Stillwater becomes even more interesting.

Sunday Funday

No. 5 LSU vs. No. 8 Florida State — 6:30 p.m. Sunday on ABC

This is the game of the week. The winner will be a legit contender for the College Football Playoff.

Monday Night (College) Football

No. 9 Clemson at Duke — 7 p.m. Monday on ESPN

Week 1 closes with an ACC clash between Clemson and Duke as the Tigers look to climb back up the college football pecking order after two years away from the College Football Playoff.

Thanks for stopping by – here’s your daily dose of Oklahoma State sports news.

OSU Bullets

• Predicting the Cowboy Football season game-by-game (NewsOK)

• A couple of Cowgirls were named Big 12 soccer players of the week (OKState.com)

• Don’t overlook the Pokes – OSU’s portal losses are one of the “bigger illusions right now in the Big 12:

“Conference championship, I’m taking Texas, but I’m taking them over Oklahoma State, a team I think is going to come out of nowhere and surprise people this year after they fell off a cliff last year. Let me first start with the Cowboys. So, Mike Gundy’s really good. And Mike Gundy knows what he’s doing.

It looks like his roster got gutted by the transfer portal, and I think it’s one of the bigger illusions right now in the Big 12.

[GoPokes 247]

• K-State’s October visit to Stillwater is listed as one of the more underrated Big 12 games this fall (HCS)

• Five-star cornerback Kobe Black may have eliminated the Pokes from his list but he’s still coming to visit Stillwater this fall to visit his brother, Cowboy cornerback Korie Black:

After taking official visits to Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ohio State during the summer, Black is looking at taking a few more official trips this fall.

“I’m probably going to go to LSU and Oklahoma State,” he said. “I think that’s it for now.”

[247 Sports]

Non-OSU Bullets

• Ranking of the top movie soundtracks – Mike Gundy co-signs on No. 1
• The first part of this on “husband meal” is spot on

“The fundamental algorithm of life — repeat what works“

Charlie Munger

As far as FCS opponents go, the Central Arkansas Bears appear to be no slouch.

Oklahoma State hosts Central Arkansas at 6 p.m. Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium to kick off the Cowboys’ 2023 season. The Bears were picked second in the United Athletic Conference’s preseason poll, picking up five first-place votes.

UCA returns some firepower from last season’s squad that went just 5-6, but the Bears also added some skill this offseason.

Here are three things to know about the Central Arkansas Bears.

1. A Veteran FCS Quarterback

Will McElvain already has experience taking a Big 12 team to deep waters — nearly forcing a monumental upset.

As a redshirt freshman at Northern Iowa in 2019, McElvain took No. 21 Iowa State to three overtimes in Ames, throwing for 228 yards and a touchdown before UNI eventually fell the the Brock Purdy-Breece Hall Cyclones 29-26.

McElvain finished the 2019 season having completed 53% of his passes for 2,778 yards and 20 touchdowns — setting a UNI freshman passing record in the process. He led UNI to the FCS quarterfinals that year before falling to national runner up James Madison.

He transferred to Central Arkansas ahead of last season where he turned in his best performance since that redshirt freshman campaign. In his first season with the Bears, McElvain threw for 2,592 yards and 18 touchdowns.

For his career, McElvain has thrown for 6,545 yards, 40 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. It’s obviously a different level, but the trio of Alan Bowman, Garret Rangel and Gunnar Gundy have combined to throw for 6,287 yards, 41 touchdowns and 27 interceptions during their college careers. So, McElvain is no spring chicken.

“They do have an advantage with a mature quarterback,” Gundy said. “The things we’re talking about today [playing multiple quarterbacks], they’re not talking about. A guy that’s experienced and they know who their guy is.”

2. Watch Out for David Walker

The 2022 season was also David Walker’s first with UCA, and he made an immediate impact.

Walker won the ASUN’s Defensive Player of the Year last season after leading the conference with 12 sacks and 21 tackles for loss. He was an FCS All-American and also was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best FCS defender in the country.

Listed as a 6-foot-2, 260-pound junior, Walker played at Division-II Southern Arkansas in 2021, where he again led his conference in sacks and tackles for loss.

OSU’s offensive line struggled in 2022, so Walker ought to be a decent test to start 2023.

“There are probably not enough adjectives for me to use to describe him,” UCA coach Nathan Brown said. “I think he’s just an amazing human, someone that has grown so much in the year he’s been here. And not just how good a player he is on the field, but just the man he’s becoming. He’s taken on a leadership role in that short time.”

3. The Bears Have Options in the Backfield

The Bears’ running back duo of Darius Hale and Kylin James combined to rush for 1,603 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022.

And the room somehow got better in the offseason with the addition of ASUN rushing leader ShunDerrick Powell. A transfer from North Alabama, Powell ran for 1,508 yards and 18 touchdowns last season on his way to FCS All-America honors.

Hale and James appear to be bruisers. Hale is listed as a 5-11, 225-pound junior, and James is listed as a 6-0, 220-pound junior. Meanwhile Powell brings a change of pace at 5-9, 180 pounds.

“I think what these three guys have bought into is feed off each other,” Brown said. “Kylin James does a lot of great things. He’s as good an all-purpose back to me as there is in the country. I don’t think he gets the respect he truly deserves. And Darius can really do it all. He’s a big back who can make all the cuts. He’s got speed to break away. He sees something and tries to get better at it and he usually accomplishes it. And ShunDerrick is just an extremely talented running back.”

Thanks for stopping by – here’s your daily dose of Oklahoma State sports news.

OSU Bullets

• Excellent material on OSU fan expectations – observations from OKC Dave’s OSU fan survey. Of note: OSU fans want Bedlam sent off well and Tech is the new rival (PFB)

• Quick NFL roster update – Marcell Ateman was cut, Jason Taylor II made it (Twitter)

• Good for perspective, bad for the heart. Here’s the argument behind “selling” on OSU’s Big 12 title chances:

Despite Oklahoma State’s low buy-in price nationally, there is other more talented teams in the Big 12 more likely to win the conference and those are worth the investment.

[247 Sports]

• Viktor Hovland is joining golf’s elite (CBS Sports)

• Rickie Fowler made the Ryder Cup team for 2023 (Twitter)

• Spencer Sanders is hanging around the quarterback battle in Oxford (Saturday Down South)

Non-OSU Bullets

• How all 32 NFL teams got their name
• Terrific read for a new manager on team dynamics
•

Carson Cunningham and Colby Powell preview the 2023 football season and make their predictions.

You know what helps the show and helps us make more shows? When you rate us on Apple Podcasts or subscribe to our pod: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | SoundCloud

As always, we appreciate our sponsor Chris’ University Spirit.

Dave Hudson has captured the pulse of the OSU fanbase for a 16th year.

OKC Dave’s OSU Fan Survey results are here just in time for the 2023 football season to begin. You can (and should) check out the full results here, but here are seven takeaways I had from the survey. We’ll start with all things football before looking elsewhere.

1. Cautiously Optimistic

Oklahoma State fans aren’t supremely confident on a game-by-game basis this year, but they are cautiously optimistic entering the 2023 season.

OSU fans project the Cowboys to win 7.8 games this season. That’s the lowest full season (aka not 2020) number since 2014, which is not ideal, but the fanbase is backing the Pokes by at least 51% confidence in 10 games (10!). It’s just that a lot of those games fall in what Dave calls the “cautious optimism” range between 50% and 65%.

It makes sense with how much turnover is involved in college football these days with the transfer portal that it’s sort of hard to take a big stand on a team full of players that haven’t played together before. Like, I think the Alan Bowman-to-De’Zhaun Stribling connection is going to be fruitful, but I have no solid evidence to back that up here on Aug. 29.

That shakes out for what should be an entertaining (or high blood pressure-inducing) season if OSU really is that close in so many games.

2. Yearning for Bedlam Glory

I don’t know whether I’m ready for the emotions I’ll have the week leading up to Bedlam in 2023.

I’ve been in the camp of wanting Bedlam to continue. I get why people are over it and see how getting out of the Sooners’ shadow could be a great thing for Oklahoma State, but I just think it’s sad that kids are going to grow up in these oddly shaped borders without a Bedlam game.

I’m getting off topic.

On the prompt of “If I could pick one game for OSU to win this year, it would be,” 92% of fans voted Bedlam — the highest percentage in 16 years of this survey.

As Dave rightly points out in his notes, some of this probably has to do with Texas not being on the schedule this year to take votes away from OU. Texas had been the second-place team on that prompt for nine seasons. But this Bedlam could mean more than any Bedlam ever played because it could be a long time before the two state schools tango again. If OSU can win here, all the overall record shots could be answered with “Oh yeah, well what about the last time they played?”

3. Texas Tech the Clear Favorite for OSU’s New Rival

Some parts of blossoming rivalries have to happen organically, but there is a lot that points to Texas Tech being the Cowboys’ rival after the Sooners head to the SEC.

There’s all the Xerox U stuff that gets tossed out about one school copying the other, but if there needs to be any more fuel to the potential rivalry fire, how about how OSU fans think the Red Raiders are a little overrated this year? Tech was picked fourth in the Preseason Big 12 Poll, but OSU fans pinned the Red Raiders sixth.

I also like the idea of a friendly K-State rivalry. I discussed the Texas Tech-Oklahoma State-Kansas State spectrum I’m developing in early June. But a K-State rivalry would be a different type of rivalry than a Tech one, which is made more evident by the fact that OSU fans voted Chris Klieman as the No. 1 coach in the Big 12 and the coach OSU fans would most want their son to play for aside from Mike Gundy.

When I started talking new rivals earlier in the summer, the newest wave of conference realignment hadn’t taken place, but I also like the idea of a Colorado rivalry. There is some history there with the Buffaloes’ previous stint in the Big 12, and CU is another Big 12 school alone in its state.

4. OSU Fans Love Brennan Presley and Oklahomans in General

For the third straight year, Brennan Presley is the OSU fanbase’s favorite offensive player. He becomes just the second OSU player to three-peat, joining Mason Rudolph.

With all the roster turnover, it was probably going to be tough for anyone to dethrone Presley going into this season.

Something else that stands out about these lists is how much OSU fans value their Okies.

In the last three seasons, there have been five Oklahomans of a possible nine in the Top 3 of offensive players and eight of a possible nine for defensive players. And on top of that, the highest all-time percentage of fan favorites are both Oklahomans in 2018 Justice Hill (67%) and 2018 Calvin Bundage (61%).

5. O’Neal the Clear Favorite Defender to Join Cowboys’ Ring of Honor

Terry Miller will be the Cowboys fourth induction into the Ring of Honor this year — joining Thurman Thomas, Barry Sanders and Bob Fenimore. So that left Dave with the question of who the first OSU defender to be inducted should be. The overwhelming answer: Leslie O’Neal.

A three-time All-Big Eight player and the 1984 Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, O’Neal is a shoe-in. It’s a matter of when, not if.

Malcolm Rodriguez being third on this list just sort of shows how bright his star has shined in recent years. I love Rodrigo, you love Rodrigo, everybody loves Rodrigo — but it’s probably going to be a while before he joins the Ring of Honor.

6. Boynton’s Approval Rating Drops

After having a 96% approval rating in 2021, Mike Boynton is down to 40% — his lowest since his first year.

He was dealt a tough hand with all the FBI malarky going on and the sanctions that came from it, but the fact remains the Pokes have made the tournament just once in Boynton’s tenure.

Boynton’s 40% rating is lower than Mike Gundy has ever been (68% in 2020), but Travis Ford still had three years way lower — 16% in 2012, 9% in 2014 and 7% in 2015.

Despite that low approval rating, 66% of pollsters think the Cowboys will make the NCAA Tournament this upcoming season — a relatively low number compared to season’s past but high considering how few and far between tournament appearances have been as of late.

7. Excitement for Women’s Sports

Welcome to the show, Kenny Gajewski.

Gajewski, OSU’s softball coach, was added to the survey for the first time this year, and he instantly dominated things. Gajewski was ranked No. 1 among OSU coaches and administrators at a 4.5 out of five.

His softball team was also ranked atop the list of programs the fanbase is most excited about the future for.

But Jacie Hoyt and the Cowgirl basketball team weren’t far behind there, ranking third behind softball and football. Hoyt also ranked third on the OSU coaches and administrators ranking behind Gajewski and Kayse Shrum.

We’re coming on the opening week of college football 2023, so it’s time for the PFB staff to prognosticate about the Cowboys’ season.

Marshall dropped his five predictions for OSU football in 2023 last week. Here are mine, some bolder than others.

1. The Cowboys Run Game Bounces Back

Oklahoma State was downright sluggish in its ground attack last season, turning in the worst rushing average (126 per game) since 2001, the year Mike Gundy was hired on as an offensive coordinator under Les Miles. But improvement on the ground has been an emphasis for OSU coaches all offseason, and there are reasons to believe in the bounce-back.

First off, the coaching staff did away with the longtime hybrid “Cowboy back” in favor of a more tradition, separate, groups of full backs and tight ends to help in run-blocking. And, as of Thursday’s practice, Gundy reported that the offensive line was healthy, and in much better shape than last year.

“We’ll be a better run-blocking team, and we’ll be better overall on the offensive line when we play next week,” said Gundy.

Despite losing leading rusher Dominic Richardson (now at Baylor), the Cowboys return some talent in Ollie Gordon and Jaden Nixon and add Michigan State transfer Elijah Collins and freshman Sesi Vailahi. Like most of the position battles, the first three in that list share an “or” designation atop the RB depth chart. It looks like Gundy & Co. is going to see who gets it done on the field and ride the hot hand.

2. The Cowboys Have Two 1,000-Yard Receivers

Pass the Kool-Aid because I’m coming in hot. This is probably the boldest of all my predictions but hear me out. I think Brennan Presley and Talyn Shettron each hit 1,000 yards receiving. (Even though there may be a slight hitch in my thinking, given thatShettron is not the No. 1 on the depth chart at the X position to start the season.)

This is leap is based on Alan Bowman being QB1, regardless of what the depth chart says, and his ability to stay healthy and return to his Texas Tech self, and it depends on a lot of other things falling in the right order.

Last year’s offense missed a reliable, healthy outside target. I think Shettron can plug right into that role after showing some flashes of brilliance last year, which will make Presley all the more dangerous on the inside. Even listed as the No. 2, it seems unlikely OSU will be able to keep him and his huge talents off the field.

3. The Cowboys Take It Back

There was a time when the Cowboys hung their hat on takeaways, and they have a chance to get back to that.

The “We’re takin it back” slogan was a calling card for defenses under Glenn Spencer, including forcing 33 in 2013. And before that they put up historic numbers in 2010 (34), 2011 (44!). But the Pokes have only reached 20 in one season over the last five. Can that turn around with a new system and new DC?

During his eight years at the helm of Emporia State, Bryan Nardo’s defense was one of the best in Div. II at forcing turnovers and was the only program to force 25-plus takeaways from 2012-16. In his one year at the helm of Gannon, his group forced 16, but was plus-five in TOs.

I’m aware that I’m going out on a bit of a limb having never seen, especially without their interception leader from last year Jason Taylor, but I say the Cowboys get that number back up to 25. That would be a big help to an offense that’s working in a lot of new pieces, namely at QB.

4. Collin Oliver Gets Back to Double-Digit Sacks

I am pretty excited to see what the Cowboys’ sack leader looks like in Bryan Nardo’s 3-3-5 defense.

Oliver punctuated his star freshman season with a Bedlam-sealing sack of Caleb Williams two year ago and ended the year with 10.5 QB takedowns. He still led the Pokes in sacks a year ago, but that number was cut in half to five. But with a new position in a defense that should allow him to pin back his ears and attack, I think former Bedlam hero puts up a new career-high with 11.

Speaking of that…

5. OSU Wins Final Bedlam

I’m going to step out on a limb even further and say that Gundy gets his fourth Bedlam win and the Pokes send the Sooners packing to the SEC in style.

The Sooners dropped five of their seven losses by one score last year. While that has been posited as a reason for an optimism for bounce-back year in Norman, I think it bodes well for OSU in a game the Cowboys will be motivated to stay in.

To this point in the season, we will have seen all the Cowboys’ warts, and they might be myriad. But the Sooners are coming off their worst season in 25 years and there are a lot of issues to work out. There is reason to believe OU will be better in 2023, but some of this national love is reminiscent of the treatment the Longhorns get every offseason. Plus, I think the Cowboys will want it more.

Thanks for stopping by – here’s your daily dose of Oklahoma State sports news.

OSU Bullets

• PFB’s newest editor has some optimistic takes for this Cowboy Football season (PFB)

• Missed this one over the weekend – a Cowgirl won her second straight world title in the shotput (OKState.com)

• Bill Haisten has a great point here on how close Bedlam has been since ’95:

Over those 28 seasons in 1995-2022, the Sooners won 20 times and the Cowboys eight times, but in nine OU victories the final margin was no more than 10 points. In six OU victories, the final margin was no more than six points.

While Mike Gundy is 3-15 in Bedlam, his Oklahoma State teams have been a consistent presence in the national polls. In 11 of the 14 Bedlam games played in 2008-21, each squad was ranked in the Top 25.

[Tulsa World]

• James Washington was cut by the Indianapolis Colts ? (Twitter)

• Big year for Viktor Hovland – $33m for the 25-year-old (Twitter)

• Missed an opportunity to put this gem of a quote in Monday’s Bullets – Viktor Hovland on the impact of his winnings and living in Stillwater:

Non-OSU Bullets

• Tracking “back-to-school” dates across the US
• Wrestling with “what won’t be” (faith-based)

STILLWATER — Since taking over as Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator in 2020, Kasey Dunn has had to direct a rotating cast of characters.

Offensive line injuries, quarterback injuries, wide receiver injuries, the transfer portal, a freaking pandemic — it feels as if it has been one thing after another. With Dunn calling plays, the Pokes have gone 27-11. The roller coaster has included highs of a Fiesta Bowl win in 2021 and lows of losing five of six to finish last season 7-6.

Dunn enters 2023 without a named starting quarterback with Alan Bowman, Garret Rangel and Gunnar Gundy battling. Mike Gundy said multiple quarterbacks will play in the early parts of the year.

Although it might seem difficult that Dunn has to adjust to different styles of play among the three, Dunn said the difference isn’t nearly as drastic as switching between Spencer Sanders and Shane Illingworth — like Dunn had to do in 2020. Sanders was a prototypical scrambler while Illingworth was a pocket passer. Sanders has 1,956 career rushing yards; Illingworth has -76.

The Sanders-to-Illingworth spectrum shortened a little in 2022 when Illingworth transferred to Nevada and Rangel and Gundy backed up Sanders, but those two young pups were inexperienced, leading to a different set of issues.

Dunn said that spectrum is even smaller entering 2023 with Sanders leaving and Bowman joining, making game-planning with each quarterback similar.

“We’re rolling now,” Dunn said. “They’re all real similar. It’s not like it was a couple years ago where it was Spencer, who’s on one side of the spectrum and Shane Illingworth, who’s on the other side — pure drop-back passer. That was different. It’s not like that. Our quarterbacks now are much more similar to each other.”

The Cowboys’ offensive line enters 2023 as healthy as the unit has been in a long time. Dunn said he thinks OSU is a lot better on the line given the health and the experience the group has gained over the past two years.

Also the Cowboys’ receivers coach since 2011, Dunn has had to deal with a ton of turnover in his position room this past offseason. Gone are John Paul Richardson (TCU), Bryson Green (Wisconsin), Stephon Johnson Jr. (Houston), Braylin Presley (Tulsa) and Langston Anderson (Texas State). Those outgoing transfers accounted for 111 receptions for 1,475 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, or 38% of OSU’s receptions, 41% of OSU’s receiving yards and 46% of OSU’s receiving touchdowns.

Dunn brought in a trio of transfers: De’Zhaun Stribling (Washington State), Leon Johnson III (George Fox) and Arland Bruce IV (Iowa), but some misfortune has already struck there with Bruce being away from team activities after being named in a gambling investigation stemming from his time with the Hawkeyes.

The group also gets back Jaden Bray, Blaine Green and Talyn Shettron — a trio that contributed just eight catches for 85 yards and no scores last season with all three missing significant time because of injury. All three are expected to play significant roles in 2023.

Dunn said he had a great time going and getting fits in the transfer portal and preached the group staying healthy will be huge for OSU’s 2023 outlook.

“Let’s face it, we’re all just trading players,” Dunn said. “At the end of the day, I don’t know how many more portal guys we lost than the next team. I think it’s all relatively close. We just basically exchange players around. ‘You wideouts go over there. We’ll take those wideouts.’ We just shift them around. But we’ve got some good ones in, and I’m thrilled about that. A couple of those kids are gonna see significant time coming up.”

The Cowboys have averaged 30.7 points a game in 38 games with Dunn at OC. In Big 12 play, the Pokes have put up 29.7 points in Dunn’s 28 games. But 2023 might be the first time Dunn is playing with a full deck.