Cowboys can build on experience in secondary

STILLWATER — The position of youth for the Oklahoma State defense last season is one of experience heading into spring practice next week. A combination of six freshmen and sophomores were in the primary rotation of nine players for OSU's five defensive back spots in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' first season. Only one player graduated from the secondary last season, and the rest of them come back in position to be among the leaders of the defense. Heading into the start of OSU's spring practice on Monday, The Oklahoman is examining each position group, this time breaking down the Cowboy secondary. Scholarship players lost: Kenneth Edison-McGruder, Za'Carrius Green, Thabo Mwaniki Key players returning: A.J. Green, Sr., Bryce Balous, RSr., Kemah Siverand, RSr., Bryce Brown, RSr., Malcolm Rodriguez, Jr., Rodarius Williams, RJr., Tre Sterling, RSo., Jarrick Bernard, So., Tanner McCalister, So., Kolby Peel, So., Kris McCune, RSo., Lamarcus Morton, RSo., Sean Michael Flanagan, RFr., Jason Taylor II, RFr., Kanion Williams, RFr., JayVeon Cardwell, RFr., Gabe Lemons, RFr. Newcomers: Thomas Harper, Fr., DJ Jones*, Fr., Xavier Player*, Fr. * — Not on campus for spring practice. THREE STORYLINES TO WATCH

Settling on safeties

Rodriguez, Bernard and Peel were in the primary rotation all season, and McCalister moved from his backup cornerback spot to help at safety as well. Sterling also held a spot on the depth chart last season. As the defense's deepest and most talented position group, the challenge will be on Knowles to decipher the best use of all the talent. The group has a variety of skills. Rodriguez has become known for his sure tackling. Bernard and McCalister have cornerback-quality coverage skills. And Peel mixes both, which he showed on the defense's final drive of the season — the game-clinching series against Missouri in the Liberty Bowl. Peel broke up a pass inside the 5-yard line as Missouri tried to score the gamewinning touchdown. Then on fourth down, Peel chased down Missouri quarterback Drew Lock, stopping him short to seal OSU's victory.

Cornerback-ups

The Cowboys are set with Green and Williams, a pair of third-year starters at cornerback, perhaps the most experienced duo in the Big 12. Siverand, Balous and Brown are veteran backups. But spring will provide a good opportunity to build depth for the future, especially among those who have been around for a year or two. Kris McCune, Gabe Lemons and JayVeon Cardwell will get their opportunities to be involved and fight for a spot on the depth chart.

Young and younger

While the starting safeties are already young, their backups will primarily consist of freshmen. Williams, Taylor and Flanagan each spent some time on special teams last season, though playing in fewer than four games to preserve their redshirt status. Same for Lemons at cornerback. Of the 19 defensive backs on scholarship, three are seniors and two are juniors, meaning the young players who haven't done so already must find a way to set themselves apart. After the Cowboys loaded up on safeties in the 2018 recruiting class, they brought in three cornerbacks in the most recent group. Harper, the younger brother of linebacker Devin Harper, is already on campus and will get a headstart on learning his new role.