Oklahoma State’s quarterback picture behind Drew Mestemaker is still very much a work in progress, and Sean Brophy isn’t rushing to pin down a depth chart just yet.
The Cowboys’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach said Thursday that the staff is taking its time with the backup job, even though two names have started to separate themselves: sixth-year veteran Grant Jordan and freshman Broderick Vehrs. Jordan arrived after stops at Yale and UMass, while Vehrs is still early in his college career, and both are trying to settle into the offense.
“Grant's been good. He's athletic.
He can make some good downfield throws,” Brophy said of the transfer who previously played at Yale and UMass. “He's got some experience, obviously.
“Brodie's got quite a bit of arm talent. He's got a really smooth stroke and can dish it around the field. He's done a good job operating.
“Those guys are doing a good job. They've got their ups and downs, obviously. But it's on me to get those guys coached up to the standard we have in our room.”
Luke Tepas is also in the mix, and Brophy made it clear the late addition has already turned heads. Tepas got to campus for the spring semester, and that head start has helped him carve out a spot in camp.
“Luke's been a pleasant surprise in camp,” Brophy said. “He's really coming on and is somebody I feel pretty strongly can develop into a player around here one day.”
For now, Oklahoma State is content to let the competition breathe. Brophy said the staff is still evaluating the group after six days of camp, with live scrimmages on the horizon and Saturday set up as another important test.
“We're gonna let it ride for a little bit,” Brophy said Thursday. “This was Day 6 for us.
We've got some good live scrimmages coming up. This Saturday will be a good opportunity for those guys to go out there and see how they move the ball.”
He also offered a snapshot of the personalities in that quarterback room. Jordan, in Brophy’s telling, brings a more measured, analytical approach.
Tepas is quieter but confident and competitive. Vehrs is the most outwardly expressive of the group.
“Grant's a little bit more cerebral and serious,” he said. “I mean, we're talking about a Yale graduate with an economics degree.
He's a little bit more analytical with things. And Luke's a little bit quieter, but a super-confident and competitive kid.
“And Brody's a little bit more of an outgoing personality. Obviously, the hair, his clothes.
We kind of rag on him for how he dresses a little bit. But I can't be too negative because he's from Arizona and I'm from Arizona.
I don't want to cut off the pipeline. So, all those guys are great.
We've got a great room.”
Brophy’s update didn’t stop at quarterback. He also pointed to a handful of offensive linemen who have stood out early in camp, including Jacob Sexton, Tyler Mercer, Johnny Dickson, Ashton Lepo, Shaun Torgeson and Joseph Hanson.
“The progression's been fantastic,” he said. “Jacob Sexton's been phenomenal this fall camp.
He got married this summer. So I don't know if that flipped the switch for him or what, but he's been amazing.
Tyler Mercer's super-sharp at center and handles so much that we put on him, whether it's handling our six-man pass pro, run points, all those things. Johnny Dickson, a seasoned veteran.
“Ashton Lepo's coming on, coming off a shoulder surgery. (Shaun) Torgeson's been a really pleasant surprise.
I think he's done some really good stuff. And then (Joseph) Hanson as well is somebody that's really flashed during fall camp.”
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