Fall camp begins in Stillwater
Oklahoma State opened the first day of fall camp in Stillwater with a sense of renewal after a bruising 2025 season that left the program searching for a turnaround.
Head coach Eric Morris, who arrived from North Texas, took the field for his inaugural practice, emphasizing a clean slate and an aggressive mindset as the Cowboys aim to rewrite their narrative.
The offense has been reshaped around quarterback Drew Mestemaker, a transfer who impressed at the Manning Passing Academy this summer, showcasing both arm talent and poise that have already sparked Heisman talk.
Joining Mestemaker in the backfield, freshman running back Caleb Hawkins, a dynamic playmaker from North Texas, is expected to shoulder the bulk of the rushing load and add a new dimension to the ground game.
The offensive line, rebuilt with an eye toward protection, is projected to give Mestemaker the time he needs to exploit the newfound depth at receiver and tight end.
Defensive overhaul
New defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity inherits a unit that finished 15th in the Big 12 a year ago, surrendering 418.3 yards and 33.3 points per game, the league’s worst statistical showing.
Cassity’s scheme seeks to tighten the interior, where tackles Landon Dean and Luke Webb are expected to anchor the front, while transfers Braylon Rigsby, Fatafehi Vailea II and Saadiq Clements add depth to the defensive line.
The secondary, though talented, still raises questions about its ability to support a revamped front, and the health of linebacker Ethan Wesloski, who returned from injury, could be a factor.
Adding to the intrigue, Iman Oates remains in limbo due to an ongoing NCAA eligibility lawsuit, a situation that could reshape the defensive rotation if resolved favorably.
Despite the setbacks, Wesloski expressed confidence that the defense can generate stops and help the offense in high‑scoring affairs, a narrative the coaching staff hopes to translate into wins.
The Cowboys’ ultimate goal is to escape the shootout pattern that defined their 2025 campaign and to build a balanced attack that can compete across the Big 12.