The O'Colly, April 24, 2026

Friday, April 24, 2026

Payne county judge rejects victims’ rights challenge

Bryson Thadhani CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A Payne County judge ruled that prosecutors did not violate the constitutional rights of victims in the high‑profile Jesse Mack Butler case, rejecting an effort to unravel the controversial plea deal that kept the Stillwater teen out of prison.

In a written opinion filed Monday,

District Judge Michael Kulling denied a Verified Motion to Enforce Victim’s Rights brought under Article 2, Section 34 of the Oklahoma Constitution and the Oklahoma Victim’s Rights Act. The motion, filed by several victims and their families, argued they were not treated with fairness and dignity and were not adequately informed of plea negotiations or given a meaningful chance to confer with Payne County prosecutors.

Kulling concluded that while victims must be notified of proceedings and allowed to confer with the state, Oklahoma law does not give them the power to direct, control or veto charging or plea decisions. After a three‑day evidentiary hearing last week, Kulling found the victims had been informed of the 2025 plea agreement and that the state had not violated their constitutional or statutory rights.

The ruling marks a test of Marsy’s Law in Oklahoma, which expanded victims’ rights after voters approved it in 2018. It also leaves intact the youthful‑offender deal that allowed Butler to avoid a potential decades‑long prison sentence if he complies with strict supervision terms until age 19, an outcome that has drawn intense criticism.

Wings of Hope Family Crisis Services serves victims of domestic violence, abuse, sexual assault and stalking to five counties.

Campus and community programs back survivors

Kalina Williams STAFF REPORTER

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a national campaign that highlights the prevalence of sexual violence and the resources available to survivors. Oklahoma is among the states with higher rates of sexual assault, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. In an article titled “Sexual Violence Prevention,” the department reported that 17% of

‘Running for a cause that’s beyond them’

Andre Williams woke up Saturday morning and returned to Oklahoma State University, trading the basketball court for a race honoring teammates he lost 25 years ago.

For the former athlete, the run comes naturally, but the reason behind it never gets easier. Williams, who shared a dorm room with Daniel Lawson and Nate Fleming, the two athletes who passed away in the crash, has a unique connection with the Remember the Ten race.

“Seeing that every year this grows, and people continue to come and support the team that was then and the team that is now, it means everything,” Williams said.“Knowing that OSU made a promise 25 years ago that we’ll always remember, and this is part of it, you see thousands of people running for a cause that’s beyond them.”

Williams said he enjoys seeing younger generations involved in keeping alive the memories of the 10 members of the OSU men’s basketball team who died in a plane crash on January 27, 2001.

See

women and 3% of men nationally have been victims of sexual violence in their lifetime. In Oklahoma, the percentage of reported cases is estimated to be 35% to 45% above the national rate, according to the department. College campuses also see elevated

rates of sexual violence. About 13% of all college students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

See SURVIVORS on page 3A

Hellfire, prayer signs and Plan B

OSU students answer ‘Brother Matt’

‘Brother Matt’ returns to OSU, sparking a sex‑ed push and faith debate.

Students crowded around a homemade sign on Library Lawn on Monday afternoon as traveling evangelist Matthew “Brother Matt” Bourgault shouted warnings about hell, fornicators and lesbians at anyone who stopped to listen. A few feet away, student volunteers handed out condoms and birth control while other Christians held prayer signs and tried to offer a different

picture of Jesus. It was a scene many longtime Cowboys recognized from past years, but this time, students answered with their own signs, tables and theology. Library Lawn turned into an open‑air argument over faith, sex and free speech as Bourgault, a campus evangelist who said he has preached at universities for about 25 years, returned to Oklahoma State this week. He condemned abortion and LGBTQ+ relationships and singled out what he called “promiscuous women,” while students pushed back with sex‑education advocacy and their own visions of Christianity, raising questions about how his confrontational style fits a modern campus.

Miss and Mister American Indian OSU pageant Celebrating Native Culture

Marcus Mesis STAFF REPORTER

Celebrating the culture of your ancestors while being an ambassador for it are some of the parts of being Miss or Mister American Indian Oklahoma State University.

Elijah Grass won the Mister American Indian position, running on a platform of creating healthy behaviors in Native American Youth to prevent diseases. Kellon Collington won the Miss American Indian OSU, running on the platform of the importance of higher education in Native Youth.

The Native American Student Association, with the Center for Sovereign Nations, put on the annual Miss and Mister American Indian OSU. The events hosted by Toby Martin described the position as a chance to develop leadership, confidence and creativity for OSU students.

“Miss and Mister American Indian OSU represent Oklahoma State University and the Native American community as both role models and ambassadors,” Martin said.

Grass, a Sac and Fox Nation citizen, wanted to focus on preventable diseases in Native American populations. “I want to be able to educate our people,” he said. “I think that’s the first step. Is education about nutrition and the effects that you know, your lifestyle, that you live, can have on your body. A lot of people kind of go through the motions, because not everybody has the best opportunity to make healthy choices, but being able to be given resources and learn about it I think will benefit the other people overall.”

With Grass having an emphasis on prevention of diseases, educating the Native American populations is an important part of his goal.

“I want to be able to know that we’re getting educated, and we’re trying to make changes out here,” Grass said. “And I just want to be able to spread my message to people about dietetics and what I’ve learned. I wish to be able to let other people learn as much as I have in whatever way that I can.”

He hopes that doing this will help to keep elders around to teach the younger generations about Native American culture.

“The backbone of our community is our elders,” Grass said. “They hold all that knowledge that we need to know, they continue with our traditions, and they pass them along to the next generation. We’re creating healthy behaviors for native youth to prevent diseases and start these behaviors early. “ Grass is not the first contestant in the pageant’s history to run on a platform against preventable diseases

in Native Americans. Veronica Arrendondo, former Miss American Indian OSU and a Choctaw citizen, ran on a platform of fighting diabetes for her campaign platform.

“It makes us feel like we’re definitely continuing that community, studentled initiatives, and that we’re still tackling the same problems,” Arrendondo said. “We haven’t let them go, and we’re not going to, and we’re going to make sure that they get addressed. So it is really,

citizen, is keeping her focus on trying to make sure that Native American youth can see themselves in higher education.

“I think starting off going and talking to schools, be it for them to be able to see me, hopefully, as like a role model and somebody in higher education representing, not just NASA, but OSU as a whole,” Collington said. “I had a lot of princesses come to my school whenever I was a kid, and that really gave

“It’s so special because just seeing them up here shine, the contestents, and just bringing the community together, the Indian community here on campus.”

KELLON COLLINGTON

really amazing to see them to continue that work. There’s a lot of talk about community that you’re interviewing and others, and just what does it mean to be a part of a community as strong as this?”

Collington, a Cherokee

Editorial board

Co-Editors-in-Chief Bryson Thadhani & Parker Gerl editorinchief@ocolly.com

Design editor Katie Lehew design.ed@ocolly.com

Social media editor

Jose Brito news.ed@ocolly.com

Assistant news & lifestyle editor Caleson Coon news.ed@ocolly.com

me hope that I could see myself in higher education one day. And I just want to be able to continue that on for youth now, so that they can see themselves at higher education places like OSU.”

The continuation of events

Assistant social media editor Megan Gibson news.ed@ocolly.com

Photo editor Chance Marick photo.ed@ocolly.com

Assistant photo editor Andon Freitas photo.ed@ocolly.com

like the Lindy Waters II Foundation High School Student Tour is something that Collington would do.

During the event, each contestant would give a cultural expression of his or her choosing. Grass gave a creation story of the Sac and Fox nation while Collington shared a story from the Cherokee nation with a shaker that she used during the story.

“They’re representing their culture, and that is the most important, because we want to continuously learn about where our families come from and what all that they have done for us to carry on to future generations,” Arrendondo said. “And so just being here, it really fulfills our community as a whole.”

The contestants would then be asked two questions that they chose from a selection of questions. Grass was asked of the importance of education of Tribal sovereignty.

“Tribal nation sovereignty has shaped the way our whole country works, so I think that understanding that to the full extent, just a little bit of knowledge will help to understand why it’s important we have our own sovereignty and that we’re able to represent ourselves

in government, in cultural ways, and understanding that there should be respect for sovereign nations here in this country,” Grass said.

One of the questions that Collington was asked was what is one thing that you would tell to students, faculty or staff at OSU who are not informed of the Native community on campus.

“The main thing is that we’re still here and that we have a strong native community on our campus,” Collington said.

The Native American Student Association CoAdviser Dawna Riding-inHare, a Pawnee adjunct citizen, expressed how proud she was of the contestants.

“It’s so special because just seeing them up here shine the contestants, and just bringing the community together the Indian community here on campus,” Riding-in-Hare said. “And it’s, yeah, it’s just, it’s just really, it’s exciting and and it’s really a sense of pride, because I’m around these students. And I work with these students, and so to see them up here talking about their cultures and talking about their educational endeavors that they want to pursue, it’s really fulfilling.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Advocates say that in environments with frequent social events and gatherings, such as college campuses, the risk can increase — but so can opportunities for support. In Stillwater, organizations including Wings of Hope and 1 is 2 Many provide services and round-the-clock outreach for people seeking help.

Ellen Jensen, a full-time counselor and head of the Sexual Assault Response Advocacy program at Wings of Hope, said recognizing the problem is a crucial first step.

“It’s important that we acknowledge that’s an issue that not only our community, but our state faces, and do everything we can to fix that,” Jensen said. “No one deserves to feel like they’re completely alone in this.”

Jensen said it can be especially difficult for survivors to tell people they know about what happened. She wants them to understand that they can reach out to Wings of Hope, even if they are not ready to disclose to friends or family.

“It’s really hard to tell someone you love or someone that you know that this awful thing is happening to me,” Jensen said. “So if that means that you need to come in and tell a stranger, we’re here.”

Jensen said Wings of Hope aims to be a safe, confidential place where survivors can seek support, information and advocacy.

Oklahoma State University offers a similar resource on campus through the 1 is 2 Many program. The initiative provides studentcentered support, connects survivors to campus and community resources and emphasizes that the university believes and supports those who come forward, according to program staff.

Claire Leffingwell, a coordinator of student support who oversees 1 is 2 Many, said many students use the program as a first point of contact.

“I think specifically for 1 is 2 Many, we are that place that people can start with as like, ‘I don’t know where to go, I need this information,’” Leffingwell said. “Even if they are not ready to tell someone, our website has everything they could possibly need.”

Leffingwell said she has seen more students willing to speak about their experiences during her time at OSU.

“I think we are seeing a lot more students that are comfortable coming forward and talking about their experiences,” she said. “I think, one, that’s part of not just the culture of campus changing but also society.”

Both Wings of Hope and 1 is 2 Many offer ways for students and community members to get involved, including volunteer opportunities and trainings on how to support survivors. Staff members stress that people who experience sexual violence should not feel they have to handle it alone. If you or someone you know needs support, call the Oklahoma Safe Line at 800-522-SAFE or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

news.ed@ocolly.com

at the local restaurant Eskimo Joe’s whenever he found out about the crash.

Remember the Ten hosted its 20th annual fun run, 5k and 10k race held in commemoration of those who died. The event brings together new generations learning about the accident and those directly affected.

Donna Morris, who has volunteered for Remember the Ten since its inception in 2006, said she returns each year in remembrance of her friend Kendall Durfey, who worked on the broadcasting staff for OSU men’s basketball.

“I know it has helped people move on,” Morris said. “It helps them know that when the people they loved left this life, they didn’t just end there. Their memory goes on.”

Morris said she encounters many younger crowds that don’t know the significance of the race, some even being participants. Educating these audiences is what Morris hopes to achieve through her volunteering.

“I would like people to know about how important it is to the friends and family of people that died on that horrible night,” Morris said. “I’d like them to be remembered with honor and dignity.”

Darrel Johnson, an OSU alumnus and 10 year volunteer for Remember the Ten, said he remembers sitting

“It was a very sad day, but by doing this we continue keeping on the memory, to pledge to never forget them, and that’s what we do,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the proceeds from the races go to scholarship funds for students, which are presented at a select game during the basketball regular season.

For Peggy and Kent Bilyeu volunteering each year for twenty years has helped them grieve. Jared Weiberg, the student manager of the OSU men’s basketball team who died in the crash, graduated with Bilyeus’ son at Tonkawa Public Schools.

“I know the families really appreciate it,” Mrs. Bilyeu said. “We’re good friends with Vina and Mick Weiberg, and I know they’re always glad to see us and we’re glad to see them.”

Peggy Bilyeu said that the numbers of participants have risen each year along with awareness surrounding the accident. Remembering the day isn’t easy for her, and spreading that sentiment is her motivation for volunteering.

“We all remember where we were, right when it happened and doing this brings these people back alive for just a day,” Bilyeu said.

Bourgault said he sold his home in 1999, moved his family into an RV and began full‑time campus ministry so he could “go where the sinners are” and “be a fisher of men.” He now travels to campuses across the country and spends much of his year on the road.

He stands in public spaces, reads or paraphrases Bible verses and calls out what he views as “abominable” sins. He sometimes labels women he views as promiscuous as “whores” and warns students they are “going to hell” if they do not repent, language that draws crowds as well as complaints. He said he believes open‑air preaching, not quiet conversations, follows what he calls the biblical pattern of evangelism.

By midafternoon Tuesday, a circle of several dozen students had formed around Bourgault. Some heckled, some recorded on their phones and others stood on the edges, listening or arguing back. One student who only gave his first name, Chris, said he sketched Bourgault as a political cartoon after hearing him tell passersby they were “going to hell.” Chris said he taped the drawing to a poster board, walked the lawn with it and invited classmates to sign it as a silent protest.

Others argued that his words did more than provide a spectacle. They said his message twisted Christianity, fueled shame around sex and still, in some cases, made them rethink what they believe.

OSU student Alani Damte said she saw a man trying to spread Christianity “through hate,” not the love she associates with Jesus’ teaching. “What Jesus shared was to love everybody and understand people,” Damte said. “I don’t think Jesus would want to see his followers hating groups of people.”

Damte said she felt shocked when she saw a list of people and groups on his sign that he said he hates and heard him preach that their lives were “not right.” She said that message clashes with the God she hears about in church. “That doesn’t go with the word of God, which tells you to love, not hate,” Damte said.

She grew up in Ethiopia, where she said Orthodox Christianity dominated public life and fear‑based sermons carried weight. On a campus with many beliefs, she said, those tactics land differently and lose their hold. “In America, there are so many different beliefs that people have,” Damte said. “I don’t think fear‑mongering works, because everyone knows it’s okay to believe what you believe.”

Some Christian students agreed that Bourgault’s tactics miss the heart of their faith and said they feel a responsibility to respond.

OSU student Cameron Luschen said he has seen the preacher return to campus once a year for most of his four years and still rejects his approach as un‑Christlike. On most days, Luschen walks campus with a “How can I pray for you?” sign and offers to pray with students who stop to talk. He said Bourgault points at students’ shorts or piercings and tells them they are going to hell, a message Luschen believes twists Jesus’ example. “Jesus spent time with sinners and loved them,” Luschen said. “We try to do that here, but this gentleman stands here and condemns them instead.”

Pointing to 1 Corinthians 13’s warning that faith without love sounds like a “clanging cymbal,” Luschen said the shouting on Library Lawn only confuses people instead of showing them Christ’s love. He said he spent part of the afternoon praying with confused students

on the edge of the crowd and explaining why he sees Jesus differently.

OSU student Miles Mahew said he feels disturbed that the preacher seems deliberate in what he says. “It makes me even more sad, because he seems well‑educated,” Mahew said. “He understands what he’s saying, and he still chooses to spread hate like this.”

As a Christian, Mahew said he tries to focus on God’s mercy and Jesus’ death on the cross, not a list of Old Testament rules. He believes that if those rules were meant to be the main focus of Christianity, Jesus would have emphasized them more directly. “I don’t think all this fear‑mongering really works,” Mahew said. “Maybe it gets people thinking about their faith — I’m thinking about my faith because of this — but I don’t see anyone here converting to the idea that if you fornicate and drink, you go straight to hell.”

While Bourgault preached, a folding table nearby filled with condoms, pamphlets and small boxes of birth control pills.

OSU student Lilith Breazeale said she helped organize the table and works with Advocates for Youth’s Free the Pill Council. She is also trying to launch Sexual Liberation Today as a recognized student organization.

Breazeale said the group focuses on expanding access to contraception and basic sex education, especially in a rural area where doctors’ appointments and prescriptions can be expensive and hard to get. The birth control pills they handed out for free would normally cost about 70 dollars at a pharmacy, she said.

“We just want people to have safe sex,” Breazeale said. “Bodily autonomy is everything, and if you don’t have education about your reproductive rights, how could you possibly use them?”

She said the group chose to

group’s presence as a way to “undo the damage” she believes the preacher causes with his message. She said abstinence‑only rhetoric “doesn’t lead to the outcomes students want” and believes students need practical information instead.

Chris said he felt encouraged when the sex‑ed table appeared beside his cartoon. “They’re

“whore” for what he defines as a promiscuous single woman and “adulteress” for a promiscuous married woman and argued that he bases those terms on Scripture. Critics, including some students and local Christians, say his language crosses from warning into harassment, especially when he addresses specific people in the crowd.

“I don’t think all this fear-mongering really works. Maybe it gets people thinking about their faith — I’m thinking about my faith because of this — but I don’t see anyone here converting to the idea that if you fornicate and drink, you go straight to hell.”

MILES MAHEW

set up beside the preacher and sees its work as a direct rebuttal to abstinence‑only messages.

“I’m a research girl, and the research has shown us for so long now that abstinence‑only doesn’t work,” she said. “All it does is create shame and stigma and lead to more unintended pregnancies and more contracted STIs.”

OSU student Murray

Custer said she views the

handing out what this college kind of needs,” he said.

Bourgault rejected the idea that he hates women or LGBTQ+ students and said he targets what he calls “abominable, sinful behavior.” He called abortion the “shedding of innocent blood” and cited biblical passages that describe homosexuality as an “abomination.” He said he uses the word

Critics also say his style pushes people away from Christianity, but Bourgault said those who walk off do so by choice. He pointed to Bible passages where people walk away from Jesus and said his job is to preach, not to manage their response. He said the students who claim he drives them away often stay for hours. “They never walk,” Bourgault said. “I think

God’s drawing them. The Holy Spirit is talking to their heart.” Bourgault said he sees his work as planting seeds and has heard from people years later who say they converted after hearing him preach on a campus. “If nobody gets saved, I still obey Jesus,” he said. “We come out here and preach the gospel and plant the seed.” Bourgault’s visits are not new to OSU. In 2013, a Stillwater church member stepped out of the crowd to offer a separate Bible study and called the preacher unwise, saying he did not hear much about Jesus’ saving grace, according to a previous O’Colly coverage. Students at the time also traded rumors that traveling preachers tried to provoke punches or shutdowns so they could sue, though they said they had no proof.

For some students, Bourgault’s visits have become a strange kind of tradition on Library Lawn — a mix of spectacle, sermon and street‑corner argument about what faith and freedom should look like here. As the crowd thinned on Tuesday, he kept preaching to whoever stayed, while groups like Sexual Liberation Today and campus Christians with prayer signs said they plan to return the next day with their own messages.

Helpful tips to remember for Calf Fry

Ashley Yarborough STAFF REPORTER

The Calf Fry returns to Stillwater for three days of concerts, crowds and cowboy culture beginning Thursday, April 30.

Here’s what to know to stay safe and prepared for all three days of the 34th.

Tickets and entry

Buy tickets in advance at calfry.com to avoid issues at the gate and last‑minute price increases. Three‑day passes are available at different tiers, and single‑day tickets are sold while supplies last, so confirm availability before you go.

Weather and heat safety

Forecasts call for warm afternoons and cooler evenings during the festival, with typical Oklahoma humidity and the chance of storms or showers. Check the forecast the week of the event, dress for heat and possible rain and be prepared for mud if it storms.

Transportation and getting home

Plan your ride before you arrive. Shuttle passes and bus options are available through the festival and local services, and marked rideshare areas will operate near the venue so attendees have alternatives to

driving themselves. If you plan to drink, arrange a sober driver, use a shuttle or rideshare and do not drive under the influence.

Phone and communication

Charge your phone before you leave and, if possible, bring a portable charger, which is

allowed inside the venue. Set a meeting point with your group in case cell service is limited or you get separated.

Hydration and health

Expect long days on your feet in the sun. Drink water regularly, especially if you are consuming alcohol, and take

2026 CALF FRY LINE-UP

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

• Josh Meloy

• Waylon Wyatt

• Bottomland

• Cole Phillips

• Battle of the Bands Winner

• After party with Jackson Wendell

FRIDAY, MAY 1

• Flatland Cavalry

• Braxton Keith

• Katlin Butts

• Logan Ryan Band

• Battle of the Bands Winner

• After party with Phil Kane

breaks in shaded areas when you can. Seek medical staff on site if you or a friend feels lightheaded, overheated or unwell.

Staying with your group Go with at least one friend and stick together throughout the day. Keep an eye on one

another, especially in crowded areas, and do not leave anyone behind when you move between stages, the bar or transportation. For more information on ticketing, shuttles and festival policies, visit calfry.com

SATURDAY, MAY 2

• Charles Wesley Godwin

• Ole 60

• Tyler Nance

• Fox N’ Vead

• Battle of the Bands Winner

• After party with The Jack Wharff Band

Clubs around campus celebrate Earth Day

Caleson Coon

Right outside the Student Union, on Wednesday, 23 groups that are sustainability related at Oklahoma State University came together to celebrate Earth Day.

Earth Day is a day for people to demonstrate support for environmental protection, and Katie Beitz, sustainability coordinator for OSU’s Office of Sustainability, said the event allows for there to be a spotlight on what the students and organizations do 365 days out of the year.

“We are here and we care about each other, and we care about the university,” Beitz said. “Just trying to do the best job that we can to take care of the planet.”

Energy Services Assistant Director and Senior Energy Manager Casey Romero for the Energy Management Program on campus views Earth Day as an opportunity for the organizations to gain exposure along letting others know that the program is there as a resource.

“This is a great chance for us to interact with students and staff, and just let them know that we’re here,” Romero said.

The Energy Management Program began in 2007 with its mission being to reduce the university’s utility bills on campus.

“We do that through reducing the amount of energy that’s used, whether it’s electricity or we also use chilled water and steam to

cool and heat the buildings,” Romero said. Representing the Environmental Science Club is Sereen Elkhalid, whose goal is to spread environmental awareness.

for Earth Day.

“As a club, to make a difference, to encourage other OSU students, the community, the state and the world – if we each do our individual part, we can actually make a change,” Elkhalid said. It’s through outreach events, monthly volunteering and stream quality testing that the Environmental Science Club is able to make a difference. The water quality testing they do is for a local stream by collecting samples from the water and testing them for different pollutants through the water quality and education organization called Bluestem.

“So, we hope that protecting the Earth can be something that we can all work towards and that can unite everybody,” Elkhalid said. Elkhalid referenced her club’s words on their poster “The Earth connects us all” by saying though it may be a divisive time, Earth still remains the one thing that connects us all.

News

This week in Oklahoma history

WHEN THE MOST DEADLY TERRORIST ATTACK IN U.S. HISTORY OCCURRED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THE O’COLLEGIAN HAD STAFF AT THE SCENE EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF THE SEMESTER AND PRODUCED AWARD-WINNING COVERAGE OF THE BOMBING THAT KILLED 168 PEOPLE IN THE FEDERAL BUILDING.

OUR EYES ARE ON CHRIST!

“ As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he show us his mercy.” (Ps.123:2 NIV)

“My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty...But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Ps.131:1,2 NIV)

“ I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit...he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear (stand in awe) and put their trust in the LORD.” (Ps.40:1-3 NIV)

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall

April 24 • 7:30 pm

April 25 • 2:00 pm

April 25 • 7:30 pm April 26 • 2:00 pm Seretean Center for the Performing Arts

$17 General $13 Senior (65+) $10 Student 405-744-6094 okla.st/theatre

renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Is.40:31 KJV)

There is something definite and real about waiting on the Lord. I remember years ago when I sensed the Lord speak to me.

“Make yourself available!” I thought I was! I was reading my Bible some and going to church regularly. As I considered this challenge from Lord, I felt I should spend some quiet time daily with the Lord. With my busy days,I decided to spend a hour (5 to 6 a.m.) each day.

That decision brought about important changes in my life and service to God.

I was learning to wait on the Lord. What a loving and faithful God we have to help us find his best for our lives. It pays off to have a definite, daily time with your Bible and Jesus

Friday, April 24, 2026

Cox: Landing Crooks is a program-changing moment

OSU using spring period to build foundation for summer

Drew Mestemaker’s first pass inside Boone Pickens Stadium wasn’t a touchdown or a statement.

It was an interception.

He took a deep shot on the opening play, the kind you call to set a tone. But instead, it flipped, at least for a moment.

What followed, though, said more about Oklahoma State’s spring than the mistake ever could.

Mestemaker didn’t flinch as he came back out. Instead, he took what was there, pushed the ball when it made sense and slowly helped the offense settle in as they found their rhythm and began to build confidence.

“I thought that’s how Drew is,” OSU head coach Eric Morris said. “He responded so well, and started throwing some darts out there. It never fazed him.”

Saturday wasn’t really about the spring game, whether it was the score, the highlights or even the explosive plays that got the crowd going.

The focus was actually everything underneath it.

For a team that’s had as much turnover as OSU this offseason, the Cowboys have had to figure out who fits into their system, who will step up as leaders and whether a group of newcomers will click as a team.

“We’re a really close, tight-knit group,” defensive lineman James Williams said. “We knew what it would take with 80 new people.”

See BUILD on page 5B

Sometimes, one move is all it takes for a program to put its name on the map.

Bringing in a big name that transforms the direction of the program.

Look at TCU, for example. The Horned Frogs hadn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2010 upon Mark Campbell’s arrival in 2023.

TCU even had to host walk-on tryouts to fill his first roster.

Then, Campbell landed Hailey Van Lith out of the portal, and the rest was history. The Horned Frogs have made the Elite Eight in back-to-back seasons and are now regarded as a top program.

Oklahoma State now has its chance

to become a highly respected women’s basketball program after landing Audi Crooks.

When Crooks decided to enter the transfer portal on April 2, she was instantly regarded as the No. 1 player available.

In the days following her announcement to enter the transfer portal, Crooks recieved interest from Maryland, Notre Dame and Oklahoma — three programs that finished the season as top 25 teams and have historically been successful.

The Terrapins have made the NCAA Tournament in 21 of 24 Brenda Frese’s years as the coach. The Fighting Irish have made five straight Sweet Sixteens and the Sooners haven’t missed the NCAA Tournament since Jennie Baranzyk took over as the coach in 2021.

See CROOKS on page 3B

500 for Holliday

OSU coach’s milestone reflects longevity

Weston Wertzberger STAFF REPORTER

In a regular midweek matchup at O’Brate Stadium on Tuesday night, Josh Holliday reached a milestone not many coaches often reach.

Oklahoma State’s 14-4 runrule victory against Wichita State marked the 500th win of his head coaching career — a number that Holliday credits to the hundreds of players he has coached and the program

he’s spent building during the past 14 years.

Holliday has consistently defined the program, leading the Cowboys to sustained success in the Big 12 Conference and as a traditional NCAA Tournament participant. Even with all the achievements Holliday has earned throughout his time as the head man, he views his job in a broader sense, guiding a team to be the best they can be.

“I don’t know that anyone

really totally understands what head coaching is,” Holliday said. “It’s being a servant leader to others. It’s not about you. The head coaches who think it’s about them, that’s fine, but that’s not how I was raised, that’s not how I view it. I’m a protector of the fort and caretaker of everyone. That’s what I do. It’s a team place. I’m very proud of the team and every kid that’s ever played here.”

sports

Five notable players coached by Holliday at OSU

Will Thorogood

In 14 years as the head coach of Oklahoma State, Josh Holliday has had a rich history of developing players into big league talents, with some of them going on to be successful at the major league level.

Under Holliday, the Cowboys have seen 77 players get drafted into the MLB, with 37 of them being first-round selections. Fourteen of his players have gone on to play in the big leagues.

Here are five notable OSU players who were coached by Holliday:

Carson Benge, OF/RHP (2023-24)

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022, Benge took the Big 12 Conference by storm on the mound and at the plate in 2023.

He batted .345 with 68 hits, 43 RBIs, 17 doubles and seven home runs. Benge also led the Cowboys in batting average, on-base percentage and multihit games with 23.

Upon his return from surgery, he quickly settled into his freshman year on the rubber. Benge pitched in 10 games, which he all started, and registered 35 strikeouts while only allowing four home runs in 35 innings pitched.

His sophomore year saw him pitch more, but start less, only starting four times in 18 outings. Despite the lower amount of starts, Benge increased his strikeout total with 44, while walking fewer batters and giving up fewer runs. At the plate, he tore it up with 83 hits, 64 RBIs and 18 home runs. A great year

Continued from 1B

Long before Tuesday night’s landmark win, Holliday’s connection to OSU was already established.

After his playing career for the Cowboys ended in 1999, he joined the coaching staff in 2001 as an assistant under his father, Tom Holliday. After leaving the program alongside his father following the 2003 season, he continued to build the bridge as an assistant coach at four more programs.

Holliday spent the 2004 season at NC State under head coach Elliott Avent, then moved to another ACC rival, Georgia Tech, under the recently retired Danny Hall from 2005 to 2007. During his time with the Yellow Jackets, Holliday won the 2005 ACC Tournament and reached the 2006 College World Series.

Holliday made the move to the West Coast at Arizona State in 2008 under Pat Murphy, now the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, who was named the National League manager in the past two seasons. In his second and final season with the Sun Devils, Holliday once again reached the College World Series in 2009.

Holliday made one last stop as an assistant coach in 2010 at Vanderbilt, where he helped current head coach Tim Corbin lead the Commodores to their first College World Series appearance in program history in 2011.

Overall, all five head coaches Holliday worked under made a major contribution to his job and life.

“They were all awesome,” Holliday said. “I worked for some of the best you had ever seen. In fact, most of them are still in it. ... They taught me a lot. I don’t think anyone

despite striking out 51 times, 19 more than the previous season.

Benge was selected by the New York Mets with the 19th overall pick in the 2024 draft, and he could not have asked for a better start to his big league career.

In his first big league game, his first hit was a home run. On the first pitch of his third atbat, Benge made solid contact with a sweeper from Justin Lawrence, and took it over the right-center field wall for a solo shot that gave the Mets a 10-5 lead.

Nolan McLean, OF/INF/ RHP (2021-23)

Like Benge, McLean was a two-way player as well for OSU, and he dominated on both sides.

While he did not do much his first year on the mound, the bat was alive that year. McLean finished the year with eight home runs and 20 RBIs on 36 hits.

2022 saw him dominate on both ends, throwing 39 strikeouts while hitting 19 home runs on 55 hits.

His final year saw a decline in his bat performance, while his pitching performance remained solid. McLean did not allow a home run that season, and saw his runs allowed drop by three to 14.

He was selected in the third round by the Mets with the 91st overall pick, and quickly made an impression last season.

McLean led the Mets in strikeouts in a single game last season, when he totaled 11 strikeouts against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 25.

Nolan Schubart, OF (202325)

Schubart made a quick impression with the Cowboys

that’s good at anything knew anything before someone took the time to teach me. And if you’re lucky enough to be around people who teach you, you have a chance to learn. So, I owe those guys a lot.”

After reaching the promised land three times with three different programs during his 12-year career as an assistant, Holliday finally got the call to become the head coach at his dream job — OSU.

One person who helped Holliday get settled in the role back in 2013 was current West Virginia head coach Steve Sabins, who was in his second year as a graduate assistant. Like Holliday, Sabins was also a former Cowboy player. Right away, the two bonded immediately.

“Steve was an amazing young man who had already been here, working in the program and played here,” Holliday said. “When I got hired, he came to me with the most genuine desire to be here and make Oklahoma State better, and it was really easy to find a way to make that happen. He, (volunteer assistant coach) Roland Fanning, (assistant coach) Marty Lees, (pitching coach) Rob Walton and myself were the first group to put the train on the track together. Steve was great.

“I knew he was gonna be a very successful coach, and he did anything and everything you could humanly imagine to make us better. And he did so for no money, and he did so with a smile on his face. He was wonderful, as were all those guys. They’re really wonderful.”

Fast forward to 2026, Holliday reflects on what the 14-year journey as head coach has taught him. It took a few seconds to reflect and formulate a proper response in the moment.

“It’s gone fast,” Holliday said. “It’s hard to believe how

when he dominated his freshman year with 17 home runs and 74 RBIs off of 73 hits. He appeared in every game that season, and started in 59 of them.

His sophomore year was similar, but Schubart decreased his strikeouts and increased his home runs. He finished the season with 23 home runs and 68 RBIs. After that season, he became the 13th player in OSU history to earn All-America honors in multiple seasons.

While the home runs decreased to 19 in 2025, Schubart continued to win against opposing pitchers, decreasing his strikeout number to 60 that season.

After three standout years with the Cowboys, he was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the third round of last year’s draft with the 101st overall pick.

Jonathan Heasley, RHP (2017-18)

Heasley quickly made his mark for OSU as a freshman. He made 22 appearances and started in five games. He

finished tied for the team lead with three saves.

While he earned no saves in 2018, Heasley made use of more outings that season to bump his strikeout total up to 79. In 15 appearances (all starts), he pitched 80 innings, a significant increase from 38 the previous season.

Heasley was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 13th round of the 2018 draft with the 392nd overall pick. He made his major league debut with the Royals in 2021, tallying six strikeouts in 14 ⅔ innings on three starts.

In 2022, Heasley made 21 starts and recorded 70 strikeouts in 104 innings of work. But after that year, he began to bounce from team to team. A stint with the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox and the Royals a second time, nows sees him in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

Christian EncarnacionStrand, INF (2021)

After two solid years at Yavapai College, Encarnacion-

much time is expiring. It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a lot of work. It’s been a lot of time. It’s been everything that’s good about what you do in life, all rolled together. I’ve done it with some really cool people, done it with some amazing kids.

“... I’m fortunate to have a beautiful home to play baseball, thankful that it occurred during that time, and thankful for all the awesome kids that chose to come here and be a part of this. They’re really the story. When I played there, I was part of the story, because back then, I was one of the kids on the field putting it up every day for OSU. As an adult, I have the chance to come back and serve the place I love.”

Holliday has learned a lot about himself during his time in baseball, but he doesn’t think his coaching philosophy has changed. But what he’s enjoyed a lot has been being a part of his alma mater, in which he’s been very joyful since the moment he got here.

“You should have a school that, every Saturday, you can honestly claim is yours,”

Holliday said. “I think that matters. And I think if you do that, you’ll have a group of people behind you forever, and that’s what we believe in here. So philosophically, let’s chase excellence in everything we do.”

Holliday and the Cowboys have been fortunate to experience many great moments, some of which are featured in the clubhouse at O’Brate Stadium. The classroom walls feature photos that capture key moments in the program’s history — from championship celebrations to unforgettable plays and extraordinary players. Those moments serve as a reminder of what OSU has accomplished throughout its history and what it continues to chase.

“I think as a coach, the greatest joy comes from seeing the players have their moments,” Holliday said. “That’s the most peaceful, rewarding thing there is in the world. And you can sit there temporarily, soak it in with them, and then just off to the next one.”

Over 14 seasons, Holliday

Strand put on a great performance in one year with the Cowboys. He finished the year with 82 hits, 66 RBIs and 15 home runs, and added 17 doubles to it. Encarnacion-Strand was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year for that season.

In the fourth round of the 2021 draft, the Minneosta Twins selected him with the 128th overall pick. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2022.

Encarnacion-Strand made his major league debut with the Reds in 2023, where he notched 13 home runs and 37 RBIs in 63 games. He began the 2024 season as the starting first baseman, but a right ulnar styloid fracture sidelined him for the remainder of the year. 2025 was a bounce back year for him, with six home runs and 19 RBIs, along with his first career grand slam against the Boston Red Sox on July 2. Encarnacion-Strand is currently on the Orioles with Holliday’s nephew, Jackson.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

has been part of some of the program’s defining moments. Here are five of the most significant wins of his tenure: Honorable Mention: Feb. 15, 2013 — First win sets the tone Holliday’s first victory as head coach came in a 4-2 win at New Mexico, with OSU scoring twice in the ninth inning.

June 12, 2016 — Omaha return OSU reached the College World Series for the first time since 1999 with a 3-1 win at South Carolina, sweeping the Super Regional and sending Holliday to Omaha for the first time as head coach.

May 28, 2017 — 8-seed to Big 12 champion The Cowboys entered the Big 12 Tournament as an 8-seed but went undefeated through the bracket, capped by a 6-5 win over Texas to aquire Holliday’s first conference title.

June 1, 2019 — Boone’s bat flip moment

Trevor Boone’s go-ahead three-run home run sparked a 6-5 comeback win over Nebraska in the Oklahoma City Regional, producing one of the most electric postseason moments in program history.

May 20, 2023 — Bedlam for a title OSU dominated in-state rival Oklahoma 11-1 in a winnertake-all regular-season finale, clinching a share of the Big 12 title in emphatic fashion.

May 25, 2024 — Final word in Bedlam history In the final Bedlam matchup as conference foes, the Cowboys defeated the Sooners 9-3 in the Big 12 Championship game, securing Holliday’s third conference tournament title.

sports

Crooks

Instead of one of those three schools, Crooks chose OSU.

In Crooks’ time at Iowa State, she emerged as one of the top scorers in all of college basketball. During her sophomore season, she scored 820 points, which led the NCAA. This past season, she scored the fourthmost points in D1 (801) on 65% shooting.

She is currently on a 98-game streak of scoring double-digit points. The last time she didn’t score at least 10 points was the first game of her collegiate career.

She also became the fastest women’s basketball player to eclipse 2,000 career points.

During her time in Ames, she took home several accolades, including being unanimously named to the All-Big 12 first team three times and earning AP All-American honors twice.

On Jan. 14, OSU coach Jacie Hoyt said that Crooks has a fadeaway shot similar to Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.

Four days later, the Cowgirls held Crooks to 15 points on 42% shooting, her lowest shooting percentage of the season. Hoyt added that Crooks is a nightmare to prepare for.

“I don’t know if there’s a player in the country that more people spend time preparing for,” Hoyt said.

With a player of Crooks’ caliber comes national attention.

In January, ESPN’s Pat McAfee had a segment on his show where

he talked about Crooks. On April 14, JCPenney teamed up with Crooks alongside three WNBA players to promote its products. On Monday, SportsCenter ran a segment after Crooks announced her commitment to OSU.

During the regular season, the Cyclones were the seventh-mostwatched women’s basketball team, a large part of that due to Crooks.

Now, OSU gets that attention.

Two weeks ago, the Cowgirls were unranked in CBS Sports’ way-tooearly Top 25. On Tuesday, when an updated version of the rankings was released, the Cowgirls were No. 12.

OSU’s season ended against eventual national champions UCLA. Now, the Cowgirls are ranked ahead of the Bruins in CBS’s rankings.

The Cowgirls aren’t a blue-blood, but now their name is up there with the likes of UConn and South Carolina.

Under Hoyt, the Cowgirls have set numerous program records and have made three NCAA tournament appearances. Now, they’re poised to take the next step forward.

OSU hasn’t made a Sweet Sixteen since 2014 and has never made an Elite Eight, but with the pieces the Cowgirls have acquired out of the transfer portal, they have a roster that could make a deep run.

After landing Crooks, Hoyt has proven she has what it takes to get the top players out of the portal.

If Hoyt can further elevate Crooks’ game or the Cowgirls go on a deep postseason run, OSU’s program trajectory could drastically improve.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Young arms stepping up for OSU injured pitching staff

Oklahoma State’s pitching staff has dealt with a handful of injuries, but the next-man-up mindset remains with that group.

Jake Kennedy, Parker Jennings, Zane Burns and Bryce LeBlanc. All four players have handled the challenge and stepped up in place of the injured pitchers.

Kennedy pitched in multiple games of the Cincinnati, Kansas State and Kansas series.

He saw high strikeout numbers in games one and three against the Bearcats, with three and five, respectively. Kennedy did not allow a hit in game one through two innings of work.

Against K-State, he only pitched ⅓ of an inning in the first game of the series, but bounced back in the series finale. Despite allowing three hits in two innings, Kennedy only allowed one run and two walks, as he limited the damage to keep the Cowboys in the game.

His two outings against KU both lasted an inning, but he continued to minimize the damage from the Jayhawk batters. In the second game of the doubleheader, Kennedy walked two batters and struck out two, then allowed two runs, an extra-base hit and two walks in the series finale.

“Jake’s been a guy who’s really been on the come lately,” OSU coach Josh Holliday said after the rubber game against KU. “He’s really gotten better, and he’s really increased his opportunities and usage. He’s been very valuable to us.”

Jennings made his mark in game three against K-State, when he played a crucial part in the Cowboys’ 1210 win in 13 innings. He tallied two 1-2-3 innings along with a strikeout to secure his first collegiate win.

After the second game of the doubleheader against KU, Ethan Lund spoke about Jennings’ recent step up.

“Parker’s been battling all year,” Lund said. “In the fall, he was amazing, and everyone knows he’s got electric stuff. I think K-State was huge for him to kind of just show that he can go out there and compete.”

Jennings saw action against Oklahoma before the weather delay, but got another opportunity in the recent midweek game against Wichita State.

He was dealing against the Shockers’ bats with two strikeouts and a double play, but the third inning of the outing caused him to run into trouble. The bases were loaded, and Jennings was pulled for Burns. Burns looked to improve on his lengthy outing against the Jayhawks, during which he allowed six runs, and this was a big chance to prove himself. He did so, collecting three strikeouts with only one run and two walks in a productive outing.

Sebastian Norman, who was Burns’ teammate on Team USA, spoke about his recent rise after the win over the Shockers.

“Watching him grow as a player has been really fun to watch,” Norman said. “It’s not easy coming in as a freshman, especially pitching because of how good hitters are now. You have to be on your A-game every time you go out there.”

LeBlanc has been a reliable arm for OSU with three starts in his last four appearances, lowering the run production from the opposing bats. He had his best performance in his start against WSU. Apart from a walk and a single, LeBlanc dominated the Shocker hitters and brought momentum to the pitching staff that game. That was only his third time pitching two or more innings in a game this season.

Through the season, the Cowboy pitchers have dealt with many key losses to the pitching staff, like Hunter Watkins, Matthew Brown and TP Wentworth. But they have responded well to the challenge and have shown a next-man-up mindset in the past few weeks.

Stormy Rhodes spoke about that mindset after game two against KU.

“Somebody’s got to step up, and we’ve had a few people step up,” Rhodes said. “It’s going to trickle more and more as the season goes on; more and more guys are going to step up for us. I’m excited to watch some more guys get to the mound.”

sports

Postseason outlook: Where OSU softball stands with two series left

Ryan Ruston STAFF REPORTER

After Wednesday night’s win against Texas in Austin, the Cowgirls have put themselves in the best position to host that they have been in all season. They picked up the 14th Quad 1 win of the season in Austin and are 14-11 against Quad 1 teams. The Cowgirls jumped from 18th to 16th in the NCAA RPI. The RPI is the biggest determining factor when seeding teams and deciding which teams will get national seeds and regional hosts.

They now have wins over Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA, Texas A&M and Georgia. Those are all teams that are also in the top of 16 teams currently in the RPI. It is not a perfect science, but if you are in the top 20 in the RPI, you have a good chance to be a regional host.

The Cowgirls also have the 20th ranked strength of schedule, the highest among all Big 12 teams. Those highly ranked wins coupled with only having one Quad 3 or 4 loss, a home loss March 21 against BYU.

They also have a chance this weekend in Waco to pick up three more Quad 1 wins, against Baylor. If they can win two out of three at worst, and win their last four home games, they will have the potential to move way up in the bracketology with a good showing at the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City, a stadium that they are very familiar with.

There is a game on Wichita State, paused on March 10 with the Shockers leading by multiple runs in the bottom of the seventh. With that game seeming increasingly unlikely to be finished, the Cowgirls

would avoid a Quad 2 loss in that scenario.

The D1 Softball and Softball America Weekly polls can sometimes be confusing because they do not consider the RPI or strength of schedule or any of the other metrics the NCAA Committee takes into account.

For example, the Sooners are the No. 1 team in the D1

Softball Top 25, while they are sixth in the RPI. Texas Tech is No. 4 in the Softball America Top 25, even though they are 15th in the RPI.

With the growth in popularity softball has seen, the rise of softball bracketology has begun. The two most reputable bracketology sites are D1 Softball and Softball America.

Both of these predictions

came out before the upset win in Austin, so the Cowgirls will more than likely jump up in the next ones. As of before the Texas game, both D1 Softball and Softball America have the Cowgirls as the 16th and last regional site. Setting up what could be one of the most intense Super Regional matchups in the last few years, with the Cowgirls going down to Norman to try to get back to OKC. The Cowgirls have put themselves in great position to host. They now have a chance to play their way into a better seed. With a run in the Big 12 tournament, they could have a chance to pick up as many as five to six more Quad 1 wins, and play their way into national seed conversations.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Rosie Davis made hard contact, watched the ball take flight and tossed her bat up in the air as an exclamation point.

Texas’ center-fielder briefly tried to track it. But Davis knew it was gone.

That came in the top of the sixth inning on Wednesday night in No. 17 Oklahoma State’s eventual 5-0 win against No. 4 Texas. Davis’ tworun homer allowed the Cowgirls to take a 2-0 lead before they plated three more runs in the seventh to secure an upset win in Austin.

The win put OSU at 31-12 on the season, but it also is a sign of the Cowgirls hitting another stride. They’re currently riding their best stretch of the season thus far, gearing up for a potential deep postseason run.

With the win against the Longhorns, OSU has won four games against ranked opponents in the last seven days, with wins against No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 16 Arizona. It has also defeated six teams currently ranked inside the top 15 in RPI this season.

This hot stretch has come on the heels of clutch offense and oneof-one stuff from star ace pitcher Ruby Meylan.

Meylan threw a complete game against the Sooners and struck out nine batters in the win. She also picked up both wins in the Cowgirls’ 2-1 series victory against Arizona this past weekend and tossed a complete-game shutout against the Longhorns — an offense that’s top 12 in the NCAA in batting average and on-base percentage. Overall, it’s been a total workhorse effort from Meylan

throughout the season, too. She has pitched 179 ⅔ total innings with seven regular season games and the Big 12 Tournament remaining. In the entirety of last season, with postseason games included, she threw 148 total.

“I’m willing to do whatever I can do for this program,” Meylan said in a release. “To get to where I want to go, I know that I’m going to have to do these things. I’m just wearing it.”

Now, OSU is looking to continue its hot stretch against Baylor this weekend before facing Tulsa and Kansas to close out the regular season. The Cowgirls and Jayhawks are tied for third place in the Big 12 at 11-7, with the Bears sitting at No. 6 at 9-9. Wins against both teams would boost OSU’s already-impressive resume.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

The latest transfer for Steve Lutz’s squad gives the Cowboys some much-needed size.

On Wednesday, Jonathan Givony reported that 6-foot-11 Arizona State transfer Andrija Grbovic has committed to Oklahoma State. Grbovic is the Cowboys’ fourth portal addition, joining Kashie Natt, Luka Bogavac and Jacob Walker.

Grbovic, an international prospect from Montenegro, has played only one season of college basketball and has one year of eligibility left. He played professionally overseas before enrolling in school.

Last season at ASU, Grbovic averaged 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. He’s comfortable shooting behind the arc, too, with 65% of his shots from last season coming from deep. He made 43 3-pointers at 35% from 3-point range.

Before coming to the states, he played professionally overseas in the ABA league, averaging 7.9 points and shooting 45.9% from 3 in the 2024-25 season.

Incoming Transfers

• Luka Bogavac (North Carolina)

• Kashie Natt (Sam Houston)

• Jacob Walker (Sam Houston)

• Andirja Grbovic (Arizona State)

Returners

• Kanye Clary

• Benjamin Ahmed

• Ryan Crotty

• Mekhi Ragland

* Not including incoming freshmen

That tight-knit group didn’t start that way.

Communication wasn’t always clear, timing was off and players were still learning about each other both on and off the field. But over the course of 12 practices, something started to shift.

“I think we’re a more physical team,” Williams said. “We’re a way better tackling team. I thought we got exposed with that halfway through and we very much improved that. I just think our communication got substantially better.

“We finally started talking to each other, trusting each other. It’s way different when you’re coming out with new teammates for the first time. I’m very glad we got that out of the way.”

That trust doesn’t always show up in a box score, but in smaller moments like a linebacker fitting a gap without hesitation, a receiver recognizing the same look as his quarterback or a defense communicating pre-snap without needing to look to the sideline.

It showed up Saturday, even if Morris described the game as “vanilla.”

There were flashes of what the offense might look like when everything clicks. The run game didn’t always break away, a couple of drives stalled and timing wasn’t always perfect. But that’s part of the evaluation process Morris is looking at.

“We have a lot of really good pieces on this football team to be super successful next year,” Morris said. “At the same time, we’re not built right now that we can just walk out and just walk through this thing and beat anybody on our worst day. So, we have to continue to come together and play great football.”

With spring training complete, the Cowboys now move into the summer as they develop outside the public eye, while maintaining the same responsibilities.

“There’s a lot more access than there used to be for us as

Column

Gerl:

coaches to continue coaching these guys, especially the month of June,” Morris said. “And you’re allowed to actually do some on-field football stuff, have some meeting time as long as it fits into your hours for the week. So, we’ll continue to do football stuff, continue to grow them.

“I think to grow them mentally is equally as important as physically, especially during the summer. We have so many new bodies, so to make sure they’re on the same page and know their assignment.”

For a team still building chemistry, that duration becomes critical. Linebacker

he still was glad with what his team put on display.

Ethan Wesloski said the priorities are clear.

“We’ve got to get healthy,” he said. “... We had a couple of guys banged up in the spring. Gotta get healthy. So get that and then just keep coming together as a community, as a brotherhood — that’s gonna be special.”

The spring game didn’t

provide answers, and it wasn’t supposed to. What it did offer was a glimpse of a team still taking shape, one that isn’t defined by a single mistake, but by how it responds to it. And as OSU heads into the summer, that response may matter more than anything else.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

The drought of a first-round Cowboy draft pick could end soon

IN-CHIEF

Twelve years. Kevin Durant was still making jumpshots for the Thunder. Mike Gundy wasn’t even halfway through his tenure as Oklahoma State’s football coach. Lincoln Riley hadn’t been hired at OU yet.

That’s what the sports landscape in Oklahoma looked like the last time an OSU football player was picked in the first round of the NFL Draft — when the Cleveland Browns selected Justin Gilbert 8th overall in 2014.

But in the years since, topend pro talent from Stillwater has been missing. Only two Cowboys have been picked in the first three rounds since 2019, and only one of those players, Tevin Jenkins, was picked in the top 60.

When the 2026 draft opens Thursday night, it’ll be another year in which OSU won’t have a player drafted in the top two rounds. That, however, could change a year from now.

The Eric Morris era will be all about restoring the Cowboy football brand after two abysmal seasons. But it could also entail more players heading to the pros as highly touted prospects —

starting with Morris’ moneymaking quarterback, Drew Mestemaker. It’s widely viewed that Mestemaker’s most likely route is to play two more seasons of college football, then enter the 2028 draft. But if OSU’s young gunslinger has another stellar season and quickly turns the Cowboys’ fortune around, who’s to say he couldn’t become a firstround prospect for 2027?

Heck, if you’re an OSU fan, you might actually hope Mestemaker plays only one season in orange and black. That would mean that he was so good in 2026 that he forced his way into the NFL a year early.

That would also mean the Cowboys probably won a bunch of games.

But either way, even if it’s in 2028, Mestemaker has all the tools to become OSU’s first,

first-round draft pick since 2016. He led the NCAA in passing last season, he pushes the ball downfield with accuracy and he can fit passes into windows most college quarterbacks can’t. Now, it’s all about continuing to develop and performing well against better competition. Mestemaker’s play in his first season at the Power Four level will give us a better idea of the trajectory

he’s on as a pro prospect.

“If you look at his body of work, (he is) at 13 or 14 games that he started,” Morris said in March. “Although (he) had so much success last year, I think he’s still in such a growth phase of his life.”

Caleb Hawkins is another one to keep an eye on. He’s still got a ways to go as a youngster, but if he continues to develop after rushing for 1,434 yards and an NCAA-best 25 touchdowns last season, there certainly could be a path for Hawkins to grow into a strong running back prospect. And outside of the guys currently on OSU’s roster, it’s probably OK to assume that Morris will find more pro talent as his time as a coach progresses. He found Cam Ward at a summer football camp and helped turn him into a No. 1 pick. He coached Patrick Mahomes as Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator and recruited Mayfield out of high school, too.

Winning games will, of course, be the most important piece to Morris’ tenure in Stillwater.

But increasing the output of high-level NFL talent sure as heck wouldn’t hurt anything. It would only help OSU improve its recruiting and branding.

Morris’ pedigree seems to fit right into that.

sports

• Pruning & Trimming

• Removals

Stump Grinding

• Firewood Sales

Our best photos: OSU spring game

Our thoughts from OSU’s Spring Game

Cayden Cox & Weston Wertzberger STAFF REPORT

Drew Mestemaker’s first pass in Boone Pickens Stadium was not what he was expecting.

On the first play of Oklahoma State’s spring game, Mestemaker dropped back and looked for Wyatt Young deep down the field, but Cameron Epps picked off the pass.

“I thought I threw it pretty well,” Mestemaker said. “Cam Epps, he’s a big guy and he can move. I was not expecting him to make that play, but he did and came down with it. I have no idea how he came down with it. That’s what happens when you have good guys on the other team too.”

The play gave the black team (defense) an early 7-0 lead under the scoring format, but the orange team (offense) found its groove and won (unofficially) 42-33.

Here are our thoughts from the game.

Cox: OSU has depth and talent at receiver

Wyatt Young and Miles

Coleman are two wide receivers who followed Mestemaker and coach Eric Morris from North Texas to OSU. Both are expected to be key pieces on the outside for the Cowboys, but a different pair of receivers shone during the spring game.

Chris Barnes and Justin Bowick were the two who stood out Saturday. On the drive following the interception, Bowick scored the game’s first official touchdown.

On a third-and-18 from the Black 26-yard line, Bowick made a leaping catch over Marrel Davis, and his momentum carried him into

the end zone for the score.

The next drive for the first team saw Barnes making plays.

With the orange team backed up at its 2-yard line, Barnes blew the top off the defense, Mestemaker hit him in stride and Barnes did the rest, taking it 98 yards for a touchdown.

“It was another play for me,”

Barnes said. “I’ve (made) a lot of explosive plays, but it felt good doing it in orange.”

Entering the offseason, Mestemaker expected the 5-foot-7 Barnes to be a slot receiver, but on his explosive

play, he was lined up outside.

“I thought he’d be playing slot receiver,” Mestemaker said. “(On the) first or second day, he made some crazy catches from the outside… I think he can play anywhere.”

When Barnes heard his coaches were moving him to the outside, he embraced the challenge.

“I was like, ‘OK, that’s definitely something I could get into,’” Barnes said. “I’m not going to back down from it just because I’m a small receiver. I have the skillsets to go out there and do what I have to do.”

Barnes’ development this spring has surprised Morris, and on Saturday, he showed his potential.

“Any way we can find ways to put the ball in his hands (is good),” Morris said. “He’s been a little bit better than I expected… We’re trying to get our best football players on the field and he’s definitely one of them.”

With the vertical threats of Barnes and Coleman on the outside, along with Young and Bowick, Mestemaker will have plenty of options.

Wertzberger: Defense shows potential

While the offense ended up victorious Saturday, the defense showed flashes. Epps set the tone early with his interception and added two tackles. He has not played much the past two seasons, but as one of 25 returners for the Cowboys, he could be a key contributor in the secondary.

While Epps made the highlight play, edge rushers James Williams and Jaleel Johnson stood out to Morris. Johnson lived in the backfield early, pressuring Mestemaker and recording two sacks. While Williams’ performance did not stand out on the stat sheet, he was part of the unit that consistently flushed the quarterback out of the pocket.

“I thought watching our edges right now, that’s really what sticks out to me,” Morris said. “I think that’s going to be a strong point in our team this year.”

Although the unofficial score favored the offense in orange, the defense proved it has what it takes to become an improved unit.

“I thought the defense won the day,” linebacker Ethan Wesloski said. “I thought we played better than the offense did at times. But what’s a good sign is (the) offense threw a punch. We threw a punch. They threw a punch, we threw a punch. So I’m excited to see the direction we’re going, for sure.”

With a mostly new roster and coaching staff, the Cowboys showed they have what it takes to leave last year’s 1-11 record in the rearview mirror and create a spark this fall.