BY: KENNY VARNER
Oklahoma State Cowboys 2025 Season Preview: Transfer Overhaul or Total Rebuild?
The Oklahoma State Cowboys were one of the most disappointing teams in college football last season. Aiming for a Big 12 title, the Cowboys instead finished a dismal 3–9 overall and went winless (0–9) in conference play. In response, head coach Mike Gundy completely blew up the roster, attacking the transfer portal more aggressively than any coach in the country. By the time the dust settles, don’t be surprised if Oklahoma State has brought in nearly 40 new faces.
The Cowboys return only one starter on offense and three on defense, meaning this will be a dramatically different team in 2025. While the roster is filled with uncertainty, the infusion of transfer talent gives them at least a shot to retool quickly and return to bowl eligibility. Despite being projected near the bottom of the Big 12, don’t count them out—last year’s College Football Playoff surprise, Arizona, was in a similar position heading into the season.
On offense, tight end Josh Ford is the lone returning starter, and he posted a modest 10 catches for 92 yards last year. The quarterback battle is wide open between Zane Flores (Nebraska) and Haus Hejny (TCU). Flores is the superior passer, while Hejny brings athleticism and dual-threat potential. If neither separates himself, Gundy may deploy a two-quarterback system.
The offensive line is an unknown group, with no returning starters and a handful of transfers competing for spots. JUCO product Tyler Brumfield, Markell Samuel (Appalachian State), Louie Canepa (New Mexico State), Kasen Carpenter (Tulsa), and Lavaka Taukeiaho (Weber State) are all in the mix. Expect a fierce position battle throughout the fall.
At running back, Trent Howard showed promise with 230 yards on 5.6 yards per carry in limited action. He’ll be pushed by Rodney Fields and Sesi Vallahi for snaps. The wide receiver unit, despite lacking returning starters, may quietly become a strength. Talyn Shettron, Da’Wain Lofton, and Ayo Shotomide-King return seeking larger roles, but Gundy’s portal haul has added real firepower.
Christian Patrick (Marshall), who tallied 576 yards at 16.9 yards per catch, joins the fold along with Jaylen Lloyd (Nebraska), a deep threat who averaged 26 yards per reception. The real standout, though, is Terill Davis (Central Oklahoma), who posted a jaw-dropping 109 catches for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. With this kind of upside, the receiving corps might surprise people.
Defensively, last year’s unit was historically bad, giving up an eye-popping 501 yards per game—second worst in the nation behind only Kent State. Stopping the run was a major issue, which made the pass defense even more vulnerable.
Iman Oats is the only returning starter on the defensive line. He’ll be joined by De’Marion Thomas (Vanderbilt), a 333-pound transfer who hopes to plug the run. Michael Diatta (Virginia) brings speed off the edge, while Kyren Duhon (UTEP) adds more depth to the pass rush.
Linebacker should be an upgraded unit. Malik Charles (West Georgia) is a dynamic edge rusher, and inside linebacker Bryan McCoy (Akron) brings toughness and production, with 204 career tackles and 8 tackles for loss. Trip White (Ole Miss) is hoping a fresh start reignites his game.
In the secondary, Cam Smith is the most experienced corner and will be relied upon heavily. Safety Dylan Smith returns as well. Transfers Mordecai McDaniel (Charlotte) and Jeremy Cook (Louisiana) will battle returning contributors David Kabongo and Parker Robinson for starting jobs and rotational snaps.
The 2025 Cowboys are one of the nation’s biggest transfer portal experiments. If Gundy can get these new pieces to click, Oklahoma State could defy expectations. If not, they’ll remain near the bottom of the Big 12. One thing is certain: Gundy-coached teams don’t quit. Despite a brutal 2024 campaign, the Cowboys fought through every game, and that culture still matters.
The season opens with a manageable tune-up game, followed by a tough road trip to Oregon. Tulsa comes to Stillwater next before Big 12 play begins. The conference schedule will be tough, and the sheer number of new faces makes it hard to project this team. But if the quarterback position stabilizes and the transfers deliver, a return to a bowl game isn’t out of the question.