Oklahoma State may have a clearer answer now on when Braydon Nelson can finally get on the field.
During his weekly radio show on the Cowboys Radio Network, Eric Morris said the junior offensive lineman is on track to be ready for the Cowboys’ Oct. 10 home game against UCF. That would keep Nelson out for Saturday’s matchup with Murray State and the Sept.
26 Big 12 opener against West Virginia, with Oklahoma State off the weekend of Oct. 3.
That timeline matters because Nelson was supposed to be one of the key North Texas additions to the roster, a left tackle many expected to be a starter for the Cowboys in 2026. Instead, he has yet to appear in either of Oklahoma State’s first two games.
Nelson’s path back has been slowed by a knee injury. Morris said that going into the opener against Tulsa, Nelson still hadn’t even worked out with the team.
The coach has also been clear that he isn’t locked into one spot for him. Nelson has played both left tackle and left guard in college, and Morris has said he could fill in at either place when he returns.
That flexibility could matter even more with the line already dealing with injuries and shuffling. OSU opened against Tulsa with Jacob Sexton at left tackle, but Sexton’s season ended after just six plays because of a lower right leg injury. Desmond Magiya, another former North Texas player, and Shaun Torgeson split the work after Sexton went down.
For the Oregon game, Torgeson won the competition to replace Sexton and played every snap on the left side in the Cowboys’ 39-31 win. Magiya also saw time at left guard after right guard Joseph Hanson was injured, which forced Johnny Dickson III to slide over to right guard.
Hanson’s status for Saturday against Murray State remains uncertain. If he can’t go, Oklahoma State could stick with the same setup it used after the injury against Oregon.
For now, Morris is banking on the idea that Nelson will eventually give the offensive line a boost. The wait just stretches a little longer, with Oct. 10 now looking like the target.
In Other News...
What Oregon's Early Problems Could Mean For Oklahoma State
Oregons early stumble has already changed the conversation around one of Oklahoma States most eye-catching wins. The Ducks, still ranked No. 21, are trying to settle things down before facing Portland State, and the aftermath of the loss has put a spotlight on issues that were supposed to be strength points by now. Coach Dan Lanning pointed to a lack of leadership after the game, a sign that the Ducks are already dealing with more than just one bad result.
For Oklahoma State, the bigger takeaway is what that win may say about the opponent the Cowboys beat. Oregon is also working through offensive line injuries, including the loss of Trent Ferguson for the season, while the defense has not yet matched preseason expectations, especially when it comes to getting pressure on quarterbacks. If the Ducks are still sorting out those problems this early, the Cowboys can view their victory as more than a one-off upset. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Faces A Real Letdown Test In These Key Spots
Oklahoma State comes out of its win over Oregon with a different kind of assignment this week, one that can be just as tricky as a marquee upset. The Cowboys return home to face Murray State, and while the Racers are chasing a rare victory over an FBS opponent, this also feels like a classic letdown spot for a team trying to keep its edge after a big emotional result. The focus turns quickly from celebration to details, especially in spots where Oklahoma State still has to prove it can stay clean and consistent.
The secondary remains one of the more important areas to watch, and the offensive line has its own uncertainty because of injury concerns that could force some shuffling up front. Beyond the bigger-picture test, the Cowboys will also be looking for impact plays from names like Wyatt Young and Caleb Hawkins, who could help steady things if the game gets awkward. For Oklahoma State, the challenge is not just winning, but showing the Oregon performance was a launch point rather than the peak. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State's Oregon Upset May Have Changed Eric Morris' Recruiting Fight
A Saturday in Stillwater gave Oklahoma State something every recruiting staff wants but cannot manufacture: proof that the sell is real. While the Cowboys were knocking off Oregon, the program had about 100 potential recruits on campus for official visits, giving those prospects a front-row look at the atmosphere and the aftermath of a signature win. For a staff trying to build out the 2027 and 2028 classes, it was the kind of day that can linger long after the final whistle.
Eric Morris has been blunt about how much winning matters in the recruiting battle, and this one gave his staff a vivid backdrop to work with as it keeps pressing forward with offers and evaluations. The challenge now is turning one loud afternoon into lasting momentum, especially with elite prospects continuing to get attention from across the country and Oklahoma State trying to stay aggressive in that race. [Read more 🡒]