Roster...

forth between who wins). Brandon Garrison on competition in practice against other big men a university like they are at Texas Tech, you do have that opportunity.”

As McGuire looks to back up his statement, he returns 18 of his 22 starters from Texas Tech’s 2022 bowl game.

On offense – where they ranked second overall and first in passing in the Big 12 last season – leading rusher Tahj Brooks and top pass catchers Jerand Bradley and Myles Price are back, with quarterback Tyler Shough stepping into the full-time starting role.

Shough, who appeared in seven games and made five starts in 2022, threw for 1,304 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s 8-0 in games he’s finished and is key to why McGuire is highly confident in his QBs.

“I feel like we have as good, if not the best quarterback room not only in the Big 12, but in the country, and I’m excited about (Shough and Behren Morton),” Mcguire said. “Tyler is such a leader for this team, and he’s going to have a great year for us.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Of those 18 starting returners, defensively, there’s a ton of experience in the secondary. Free safety/cornerback Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is coming off his best season in which he compiled 53 solo tackles and three interceptions, and cornerback Malik Dunlap also returns after a good season in 2022.

McGuire also grabbed cornerbacks C.J. Baskerville (San Diego State), Bralyn Lux (Fresno State) and A.J. McCarty (Baylor) from the transfer portal to give Tech added depth. Baskerville is expected to start at the STAR position, with Lux and McCarty serving as backups.

“I think the same way in football, basketball, baseball, if you can play with an older team, guys that have played a lot of snaps, then you have the opportunity to be a good football team,” McGuire said.

Fresh-start roster

With the excess of players moving in and out of the program last offseason, the roster looks completely different than the team from the NIT.

Despite this being looked at as a good thing by OSU players and coaches, Boynton believes that this kind of roster turnover will become the new norm moving forward.

“I actually kind of think that this is going to be more normal moving forward, unfortunately,” he said. “I hate to even think of that, but it’s just the nature of college athletics.”

Since there are nine newcomers — five freshmen and four transfers — having the roster pulled up on your phone during tipoff on opening night may be a wise decision. Or else, it’ll be a “Wait, who’s that?” kind of night.

Players on Keiton Page’s promotion

Keiton Page is a wellknown figure around Cowboy basketball who’s spent the last several years toward the end of the bench. The former All-Big 12 player is now an assistant coach after serving as the director of player development.

“I was really happy to see him get that job... he earns it. He’s a good guy, comes to work every day, and he pushes me,” Thompson said.

Wright called Page “a heart and soul Oklahoma State person,” and Brandon Garrison said Page helped recruit him.

Still, though, Thompson won’t miss any opportunity to face off against his assistant coach in a three-point shootout (which he admits goes back and

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When you’re a McDonald’s All-American and don’t play at IMG Academy or any other dominant prep school, it’s difficult to find suitable competition in high school.

For Garrison, the talent gap between practices in GIA versus practices in the Del City gymnasium is night and day different.

“You know, it’s small kids out there (in high school), but playing against them every day, I feel like I’m getting better and getting ready for the Big 12,” Garrison said.

Garrison credited transfer Mike Marsh for fitting that classic physical, veteran big man role, teaching the younger center how to get to areas on the court, and also mentioned another transfer, Isaiah Miranda (standing at 7’1”), for being longlimbed and difficult to finish over in practice.

Cowboys are out on bullfighting

Although they’re visiting Spain and even watching a bull fight during their time overseas, most Cowboys are passing on the thought of bull fighting.

“I’m not sure if I’m ready to get out with no bull yet,” Thompson said.

“We didn’t take out that kind of insurance,” Boynton joked. No, (I wouldn’t bull fight; why would I do that?”

“I don’t think I can do that one,” Garrison said.

Yet there was one taker.

“I would definitely do it,” Wright said. “I’m taking a red cape; I’m gonna act like I know what I’m doing, like I’ve been training my whole life for that moment.”

Wright’s fearless. Mark it down, Cowboy fans.