Oklahoma State Defense Preview 2025: How Fast Can the Cowboys Improve?
- Again, the defense was able to get into the backfield. But here comes the improvement with Kyran Duhon (UTEP) coming in to take over on one side. DeSean Brown looks the part, but he needs to get behind the line more.The tackles are getting a boost with the addition of De'Marion Thomas from Vanderbilt. He's a 333-pounder who needs to be a rock against the run from the start, and Michael Diatta (Virginia) will be a quicker option. Veteran Iman Oates is a 315-pounder with enough experience to be a plus.
- The portal is helping out the linebacking corps, too, with Malik Charles a dangerous pass rusher from West Georgia who can do a little of everything. He and Jaleel Johnson will be true hybrids on the outside.Akron's Bryan McCoy made 204 tackles and eight tackles for loss over the last two years. Now he'll be a key option on the inside along with Trip White (Ole Miss), a veteran coming in looking to jumpstart his career.
- Cam Smith is a veteran at one corner, Dylan Smith, David Kabongo, and Parker Robertson will once again be among the team's leading tacklers at safety, and the portal will take care of the rest. Mordecai McDaniel (Charlotte) will push for one safety gig, and Jeremy Cook (Louisiana) was brought in to be a key backup.Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season Oklahoma State 2025 PreviewOklahoma State Offense Breakdown
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Years from now, Juan Carlos Escarra III will be able to read a book about his father, watch a movie about his dad and also a documentary because all of that is in the works. TIGHT FAMILY The story starts in Cuba where J.C. Escarra's parents, Marinelys and Juan Carlos, were born. They met and settled in Hialeah with their two sons, J.C. and Michael Derek Escarra, whose middle name – ironically – was given in honor of former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. J.C. said his father worked three jobs while Marinelys went to nursing school. Money was tight, but Escarra said he never lacked for anything. 'Growing up, my pops put me in baseball,' Escarra said. 'There was never a tournament that my mom and dad didn't take me to. They didn't make a lot of money, but they always got me private coaching, and they didn't mind.' Escarra met Jocelyn in ninth-grade biology class at Mater Academy, and they started dating a couple years later. 'I didn't like him at first,' Jocelyn said with a laugh. 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I benched him for a few games to give him a mental break, and he came back and hit 15 homers the rest of the season. 'He never let his ego get in the way. As a pro, he went down to play independent ball – just a humble and persistent guy and one of the best human beings I've ever been around.' HARD AT WORK Escarra is one of only two former FIU players currently in the majors – the other is Cleveland pitcher Logan Allen. Beyond that, Escarra is also one of the hardest-working players in the majors. For a 7 p.m. home game, Escarra arrives at the stadium at about 12:30 or 12:45. A lot of that time prior to first pitch is spent in meetings as Escarra and starting catcher Austin Wells go over the scouting report on every opposing hitter. Escarra also has to know every opposing pitcher. Then there's on-field work – batting practice and fielding practice. 'A lot of meetings,' Escarra said. 'But it's our livelihood, and I wouldn't change it.' During games, even if Escarra is not playing, he is sitting next to Wells and Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson. 'I'm locked in,' Escarra said. 'Let's say (Wells) stubs his toe, I'm expected to go in and hold it down.' As a catcher, Escarra said, he is constantly thinking 'three steps ahead,' reading swings and pondering who is on deck, for example. The Escarra family is also thinking ahead … to August 1-3 when the Yankees will visit the Marlins for three games. You can bet his family members will all be there, including Escarra's mother, who is still a nurse at Jackson Hospital; his brother, who is also a nurse at Jackson; and his father, who recently retired from Comcast at age 65. Another part of Escarra's core group of family members is his maternal grandmother, Maria Sosa. As stated, this is a blue-collar, tight-knit family. His parents went to Hialeah High, and they still live in the house where Escarra grew up. And Escarra, Jocelyn and the baby live just five minutes away. 'Whatever I've gone through in my career, my family has gone through it, too,' Escarra said. 'That's why it was so emotional when I finally made the majors.' A lot has changed for Escarra this year as he is now making a handsome salary – the major-league minimum is $760,000 per season. Escarra is also enjoying the big-city life that is part of the fabric of New York. 'There's a coffee shop on every corner,' he said. Escarra added that he's been recognized on the streets of New York a few times. 'Especially in the first couple of weeks after I made the team,' he said. 'That's when I was on The Today Show, and my story was really out there. 'it's incredible. Just last year I was a nobody, driving an Uber and just trying to get by, and now this. It's mind-blowing.'
