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Oklahoma State football season preview 2020: Record predictions, depth chart analysis, breakout players

By Cody Williams

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys hands the ball off to running back Chuba Hubbard #30 for a four yard touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first quarter on November 16, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 31-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys hands the ball off to running back Chuba Hubbard #30 for a four yard touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first quarter on November 16, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 31-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma State football (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Oklahoma State football depth chart

QB: Spencer Sanders, RS Sophomore | Shane Illingworth, Freshman

Sanders was a bit of a rollercoaster early in his redshirt freshman season but really came on strong before succumbing to injury late in the year. He should be expected to make a big step forward. Illingworth, meanwhile, is talented enough to win the backup job behind the incumbent starter.

RB: Chuba Hubbard, RS Junior | Dezmon Jackson, RS Junior

There has been talk all offseason about finding the right guy to spell Hubbard and keep him fresh, which will be critical as the All-American candidate did wear down some at the end of the year. Jackson has flashed some talent in his college career and could be the guy to provide some relief and keep the offense operating at full capacity late in the season.

TE: Jelani Woods, RS Junior | Logan Carter, RS Senior

Another topic of discussion has been getting the tight ends more involved in the passing offense and Woods might be the exact right guy to make that happen. He has a nice blend of size and athleticism to be a pass-catching weapon. Carter and the rest of the depth chart are more inline blockers than receiving threats.

WR: Tylan Wallace, Senior | Dee Anderson, Grad Transfer
WR: Dillon Stoner, RS Senior | Landon Wolf, RS Senior
WR: Braydon Johnson, RS Junior | Jonathan Shepherd, RS Sophomore

There’s a ton to love about this group. Wallace is back healthy as a top-tier downfield threat, Stoner has proven he’s a stud in the slot and Johnson broke out as a big-time performer with Wallace out last season. Anderson provides good depth, as do Wolf and Shepherd, making this a talented and deep group, which Gundy needs in his offense.

LT: Teven Jenkins, RS Senior | Cole Birmingham, RS Freshman
LG: Josh Sills, RS Junior | Hunter Woodard, RS Sophomore
C: Ry Schneider, RS Senior | Tyrese Williams, RS Sophomore
RG: Hunter Woodard, RS Sophomore | Hunter Anthony, RS Sophomore
RT: Dylan Galloway, RS Senior | Cole Birmingham, RS Freshman

Jenkins is an absolute stud on the offensive line and one of the best tackles in the country while Galloway is a fine player opposite him. There is also some good continuity with this group but transfer Josh Sills is huge for the Cowboys as he solidifies the interior further and should keep the trenches as a point of strength.

DE: Trace Ford, Sophomore | Isreal Isuman-Hundley, RS Freshman
DT: Israel Antwine, Junior | Brendon Evers, RS Junior
NT: Cameron Murray, RS Senior | Sione Asi, RS Junior
DE: Tyler Lacy, RS Freshman | Jayden Jernigan, Sophomore

The defensive line might seem a bit young but the majority of it gained valuable experience in 2019 and proved themselves. Ford is the star already but could elevate his status even further with a step forward. Regardless, this is a deep group in which everyone two-deep and even beyond on the depth chart can give the Pokes quality snaps.

LB: Amen Ogbongbemiga, RS Senior | Devin Harper, RS Senior
LB: Malcolm Rodriguez, Senior | Devin Harper, RS Senior

The two leading tacklers for Oklahoma State last season return for another year in Stillwater and should be strengths for this team once again. It should be said that the depth at defensive line doesn’t carry over to linebacker but, as they only deploy two most often, that shouldn’t be an issue barring injury.

CB: Jarrick Bernard, Junior | Christian Holmes, Grad Transfer
S: Kolby Harvell-Peel, Junior | Jason Taylor II RS Sophomore
S: Tre Sterling, RS Junior | Kanion Williams, RS Sophomore
S: Tanner McCalister, Junior | Sean Michael Flanagan, RS Sophomore
CB: Rodarius Williams, RS Senior | Thomas Harper, Sophomore

Bernard is the linchpin of the five-man secondary as he replaces standout corner A.J. Green as he moves up from safety. He’s talented enough to do so, however, and the quality of the depth around him should help this unit be a strong factor in how good this defense is in the 2020 season.

K: Alex Hale, RS Sophomore
P: Tom Hutton, Sophomore
KR: Braydon Johnson, RS Junior
PR: Dillon Stoner, RS Senior

While many college teams don’t focus too much on the specialists, Gundy needs his kicking game to take a step forward. Hale is a slim favorite as the kicker but hasn’t been great and Hutton was all over the place as a freshman. Having said that, Johnson and Stoner are valuable assets as return men, which is a plus.