Oklahoma State Football: 2025 Cowboys Season Preview and Prediction
No team in America may be more reliant on striking gold through the transfer portal than the Cowboys, who could finish with 40 newcomers — or more. Oh, and the coaching staff is new, too, with Mike Gundy cleaning house following last year's 3-9 finish that included an 0-9 mark in the Big 12. Gundy's had a habit of bouncing back, but never has a major rebound seemed so daunting.
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[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 College Football Preview print magazine. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
More Big 12 team previews:
Arizona | Arizona State | Baylor | BYU | Cincinnati
Colorado | Houston | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State
TCU | Texas Tech | UCF | Utah | West Virginia
Oklahoma State 2025 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Oklahoma State's Offense for 2025
A crowded and tight quarterback competition thinned following spring practices, downshifting from four to two and leaving Hauss Hejny and Zane Flores to battle for the job in the fall.
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On the bright side, both are viewed as strong candidates to lead the Cowboys to a rebound following the worst season of Mike Gundy's 20-year career. The down side: neither has attempted a pass at the college level. Flores, who took a medical redshirt a year ago, arrived as a promising prospect from Nebraska and is the more polished passer of the two. Hejny, more of a dual threat, transferred from TCU, where he worked with current Cowboys offensive coordinator Doug Meacham.
The development of one — or both — seems mandatory for an offense that returns little proven firepower and stands heavily reliant on transfer portal additions. Only one regular contributor returns on offense — tight end Josh Ford, who caught 10 passes for 92 yards as a true freshman.
Running backs Rodney Fields Jr. and Trent Howland lead an intriguing group that added transfers in Kalib Hicks from Oklahoma and Freddie Brock from Georgia State.
The receiving corps took a major hit when Talyn Shettron suffered a torn ACL in the spring. The offensive line won't feature a player who has ever started a game for the Cowboys.
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Related: Ranking the Big 12 Coaches for 2025
Oklahoma State RB Rodney Fields Jr. | Nathan J. Fish-Imagn ImagesNathan J. Fish-Imagn Images
Previewing Oklahoma State's Defense for 2025
The defense sits in slightly better shape identifying key players, with three returning regulars, led by cornerback Cam Smith who easily leads the team with 29 starts. Safety Dylan Smith and tackle Iman Oates also return, providing some stability to a unit that is also leaning into transfers to provide significant upgrades.
Linebacker Bryan McCoy was a key portal addition from Akron, where he posted 120 tackles on his way to second-team All-MAC recognition.
The secondary could emerge as a strength, with safeties Cameron Epps and David Kabongo joining Smith after playing key roles late in 2024.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy | Nathan J. Fish-Imagn ImagesNathan J. Fish-Imagn Images
Previewing Oklahoma State's Specialists for 2025
Logan Ward made 12-of-17 field-goal tries and 34-of-35 PATs a year ago and also handles kickoff duties. Punter Wes Pahl also returns after averaging 46.4 yards per punt. Auburn transfer Sam Jackson V offers an explosive element in the return game, dazzling in the spring.
National Ranking: 68
More Big 12 team previews:
Arizona | Arizona State | Baylor | BYU | Cincinnati
Colorado | Houston | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State
TCU | Texas Tech | UCF | Utah | West Virginia
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Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025
Related: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Magazine Available Now
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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