STILLWATER — With the start of spring practice over two weeks away, the peak of intrigue around Oklahoma State football remains on all that is new.
More than 30 new players on the roster for spring, with almost as many set to arrive in June.
New coordinators and assistants on both sides of the ball after head coach Mike Gundy rebuilt his entire staff of offensive and defensive coaches.
After a 3-9 season, the worst in Gundy’s 20-year tenure, the vibes that come from what is new provide a sense of distance from the disappointment of last fall.
But this edition of the Cowboys won’t survive on new players alone.
Many returning faces will be counted on in major roles, so let’s take a look at a few of them who have a lot on the line in spring.
Here are five returning OSU players with the most to gain during spring practice:
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Out of the four quarterbacks on the roster, Flores is the only one who hasn’t played in a college game. Yet his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame and strong right arm still provide loads of excitement.
He’s generated plenty of buzz from his performances in practice over his two seasons at OSU and the next two months provide the first real opportunity to elevate himself into competition for the starting job.
Redshirt junior Garret Rangel has the experience edge and TCU transfer Hauss Hejny has the familiarity with new offensive coordinator Doug Meacham. But neither of those closes the door on Flores’ potential.
Though Hejny is known for his quickness as a runner, Flores has proven his speed is adequate, and he might have the most well-rounded skillset for the position. But he has to prove it on the field in spring.
Though he had another season cut short by injury, Shettron is the Cowboys’ top returning receiver after catching 12 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown last season.
Heading into his redshirt junior season, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Shettron has the experience and the talent to step into a critical role with this team.
While the Pokes appear to be loaded with small, fast receivers led by returners Gavin Freeman and Da’Wain Lofton, the primary need is a big target on the outside who can stretch the field.
Shettron could be that guy.
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Injuries limited Johnson last season when he appeared to be on the verge of a breakout, but the 6-foot-5, 260-pound redshirt junior is presented with an unexpected opportunity under new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
Johnson is one of five players on the roster listed as outside linebackers. It’s a position that plays a key role in Grantham’s defense, mostly as an edge rusher. But that player is asked to attack from a variety of angles all along the line of scrimmage and plays a significant role in the defense’s ability to give an offense different front looks without changing personnel.
Johnson was a traditional defensive end his first three years at OSU, but this position opens the possibility for him to attack and be productive at a different level.
The safety group will look quite different this season, both in structure and personnel. But Smith has shown his variety of talents in coverage and as a tackler in the box.
Yet in terms of opportunities available, no position has had the influx of new players that the safety group has seen. So the returning players have to prove themselves in a more significant way to hold onto their jobs.
For his career, Smith has 63 tackles and two interceptions. But there’s a lot on the line as he enters spring ball ahead of his junior year.
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Previously a punter and kickoff specialist, Ward got his first shot as the placekicker last year, and he got off to a good start. But as the season wore on, his consistency faded.
OSU added Gabe Panikowski from Idaho State, who won the Fred Mitchell Award as the top placekicker below the Division I level after going 15 for 15 with a long of 55 yards.
Ward’s powerful leg is a known commodity, but he needs to rediscover the consistency he showed in the first part of last season to maintain the job.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Which Oklahoma State football players have most to gain in spring?
