Oklahoma State’s roster has been turned over almost completely, but one of the few holdovers from last year’s 1-11 team looks positioned to make the biggest leap.
Cornerback LaDainain Fields is the name to watch.
New head coach Eric Morris has rebuilt the Cowboys with nearly 90 transfers, including almost 20 from his former program, North Texas. That kind of overhaul leaves only a small group of returners, and Morris made sure to spotlight one of them by taking defensive end Jaleel Johnson to Big 12 media days earlier this month with the rest of his former UNT players.
Fields, though, may be the returning player with the highest ceiling.
He already flashed last season, even if it got buried in the wreckage of Oklahoma State’s miserable year and didn’t result in any Big 12 postseason recognition. Fields took the redshirt path in 2024 and didn’t see game action after arriving from Del City, Okla., where he played both wide receiver and defensive back. The Cowboys recruited him as a defensive back, and he earned his way onto the field early before locking down a starting role over the final six games.
That stretch gave Oklahoma State a real look at what Fields can do. He finished with 16 tackles, 14 of them solo, along with two tackles for loss. His two interceptions tied for the team lead, and he also delivered the Cowboys’ only non-offensive touchdown of 2025 with a pick-six against Arizona and all-Big 12 preseason pick Noah Fifita.
Now Fields stands as the only returning starter on defense, and at 6-1, 176 pounds, he remains one of the team’s tallest corners. He’ll have more help around him this season, which should give him more chances to make plays.
That matters because Oklahoma State is shifting to a 4-2-5 look under young defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity, who likes aggressive players and should have a natural fit in Fields. Cassity just helped turn North Texas’ defense from 2024 to 2025 into a respectable unit, and the Cowboys are counting on him to spark a similar turnaround after one of the worst defensive seasons in college football.
For that to happen, Fields has to keep climbing. He’s already shown the promise.
The next step is becoming the kind of player who can perform like an all-Big 12 selection. The tools are there, the scheme fits, and the coaching staff seems ready to unleash him.
If he takes that step, Oklahoma State’s defense will look a whole lot different.
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Just Made A Practice Move Fans Will Debate
Oklahoma State has added a new wrinkle to practice by partnering with Monarc, the sports technology company behind a robotic device called Seeker. Built to help with year-round player development, the machine can simulate a range of football situations and give the Cowboys another tool when coaches are trying to sharpen fundamentals away from the spotlight of game week.
The idea is already familiar in parts of the Big 12, where other programs have worked with the same technology, and it fits a broader trend that could reshape how teams prepare over time. For Oklahoma State, the immediate question is less about novelty and more about how much this kind of automated help can become part of the daily routine before it starts feeling like a standard piece of Power Four football. [Read more 🡒]
Why Oklahoma State Might Not Stay Down For Long
Oklahoma States recent slide has made it easy to overlook how much can change in a hurry when a program gets the right mix of quarterback play, coaching and a little schedule help. The Cowboys are heading into 2026 with new head coach Eric Morris installing his offensive vision, while quarterback Drew Mestemaker brings the kind of buzz that can alter expectations before a snap is played. Add in defensive coordinator Skyler Cassitys chance to steady that side of the ball and there is at least a plausible path back to relevance.
The schedule also gives the Cowboys some room to breathe early, which matters for a team trying to rebuild confidence as much as results. If the offense clicks, the defense improves and special teams under Svoboda gives them an edge in a couple of key spots, Oklahoma State may not stay buried in the preseason conversation for long. The question is whether all of those pieces can come together fast enough to turn optimism into something sturdier. [Read more 🡒]