Oklahoma State is back from its layoff and back in the Big 12 spotlight, with a noticeable tweak up front before Saturday’s matchup with UCF.
The No. 18 Cowboys, 3-1 overall and 1-0 in league play, host the Knights at 11 a.m.
CT at Boone Pickens Stadium in a game set for ESPN2. It’s the first time Oklahoma State has been ranked for a game in two years, and it arrives on the heels of a three-game winning streak - the program’s first such run in two years.
The biggest news from the depth chart release was confined to the tackle spots. Oklahoma State listed Ashton Lepo, Braydon Nelson and Shaun Torgeson at both left tackle and right tackle, a move that bumped Desmond Magiay back to backup left guard and removed freshman Ja’Qwon Evans from the right tackle spot.
Earlier Tuesday, head coach Eric Morris said he expects Nelson to be available Saturday against the Knights.
UCF comes in at 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 play after a 27-17 loss to Houston, a result that knocked the Knights back to .500 in the league. This will be UCF’s first trip to Stillwater, and the Knights have beaten Oklahoma State twice before, with both of those wins coming in Orlando since they joined the Big 12.
Oklahoma State is also one of five Big 12 teams without a loss in conference play, adding another layer to a game that marks the Cowboys’ return to action after their Sept. 26 win over West Virginia.
In Other News...
Braylin Presley Is Back But Oklahoma State Still Has One Big UCF Question
Braylin Presley is back on Oklahoma States electronic roster, giving the Cowboys another familiar name to sort through as they turn their attention to UCF. Presley had already spent a season in Stillwater before transferring to Tulsa, where he split time between wide receiver and running back, and his return adds a layer of intrigue to a depth chart that is still taking shape. Head coach Eric Morris is expected to address how Presley fits in, which should help clarify where the Cowboys see him in the offense.
For now, the bigger question is less about the paperwork and more about the role. Presleys next step will be figuring out how quickly he can get up to speed and whether he can carve out a real workload right away, especially in a backfield that could use another versatile option. Oklahoma State knows what he was before, but what he looks like now and how much of him the staff can use against UCF remains the part still waiting to be answered. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State May Finally Have Relief At A Troubled Spot
Left tackle has been one of the more unsettled spots for Oklahoma State this season, but help may finally be on the way. Head coach Eric Morris said Braydon Nelson, the North Texas transfer who has been working back from offseason knee surgery, has practiced recently and is expected to be available in some capacity when the Cowboys face UCF.
Nelson has not played this season, but his return would give Oklahoma State a needed option at a position group that has been under pressure. He is listed on the depth chart at both tackle spots, while Shaun Torgeson and Ashton Lepo are slated to start, leaving the Cowboys with a little more flexibility as they try to stabilize the edge of the offensive line. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma States Secondary Rebuild Suddenly Hinges On A Key Recruiting Push
Oklahoma States efforts to shore up its future in the secondary have turned into a notable recruiting battle, with the Cowboys making a push for a cornerback they view as a fit for their 2027 class. The program has identified the position as a clear area of need down the road, and an offer has already gone out as part of that pursuit.
The target is committed elsewhere for now, which only raises the stakes for Oklahoma State as it tries to stay in the mix. A campus visit is expected soon, and the Cowboys will be hoping the atmosphere around their upcoming game gives them a chance to make a stronger impression as they work to pull the talented defensive back into their plans. [Read more 🡒]