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Oklahoma State football 2017: Projected Cowboys depth chart

By Brad Weiss

NORMAN, OK - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks to throw against the Oklahoma Sooners December 3, 2016 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks to throw against the Oklahoma Sooners December 3, 2016 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 29: Linebacker Chad Whitener #45 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys sacks quarterback Skyler Howard #3 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Boone Pickens Stadium October 29, 2016 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 29: Linebacker Chad Whitener #45 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys sacks quarterback Skyler Howard #3 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Boone Pickens Stadium October 29, 2016 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

Defense

Notable Losses: Safety Jordan Sterns led the Cowboys with 101 tackles last season, and was one of the better defensive backs in school history. The No. 2 tackler on the team will also have to be replaced, as Devante Averette, an All-Big 12 player, is also gone in 2017.Top sack man, Vincent Taylor, who led the team with 7.5 sacks in 2016, will also need to be replaced.

DE: Jarrell Owens, junior (RS)

DT: Trey Carter, junior (RS)

DT: Darrion Daniels, junior

DE: Jordan Brailford, junior (RS)

The loss of Vincent Taylor is a tough one for the Cowboys, though Tralund Webber, who will be in the rotation at defensive end, trailed him by only 1.5 sacks. Getting to the quarterback is going to be a priority this season, as the team struggled to do so on a regular basis in 2016. They have a good group of defensive ends on the roster, and guys like Darrion Daniels and Trey Carter should be able to plug up the middle in Big 12 play.

SLB: Kirk Tucker, senior

MLB: Chad Whitener, senior (RS, transfer)

WLB: Justin Phillips, junior (RS)

The unquestioned leader of the linebacking group is Chad Whitener, who is the top tackler returning from a year ago. The middle linebacker has started 20 games in his career, and will be joined on the outside by Justin Phillips, who had a solid season in 2016. Kirk Tucker is a question mark, but he is a very smart kid, and if he can produce the way he has on special teams during his career, he could be in for a big senior season.

CB: A.J. Green, sophomore

SS: Tre Flowers, senior (RS)

FS: Ramon Richards, senior

CB: Madre Harper, sophomore

Safety Ramon Richards tied Jordan Stearns for the team lead in interceptions last season, as they both picked off three passes throughout the season. Redshirt senior Tre Flowers has the task of replacing Stearns as the strong safety position, and he should be more than up to the task after a solid 2016 season. The Cowboys will be starting two sophomores at cornerback in 2017, and while they are young, they are super talented, giving the Cowboys what should be a solid secondary this season.

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Special Teams

K: Matt Ammendola, sophomore (RS)

P: Zach Sinor, junior (RS)

KR: Tyron Johnson, sophomore (RS, transfer)

PR: Jalen McCleskey, junior

The special teams play for the Cowboys should be electric this season, as both Tyron Johnson and Jalen McCleskey have the ability to take it to the house at any time. Running back Jeff Carr should also get some looks in the return game. Matt Ammendola will be replacing Ben Grogan at kicker, which could be a tall task. Grogan missed only one extra point last season, while connecting on 19-25 field goal attempts. Zach Sinor is back to handle the punting duties.

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