HOLD THE LINE

The Cowboy offensive line has gone from a group of familiar faces to perhaps the biggest question mark on the team

STILLWATER — When they walked off the field after the Texas Bowl last December, Oklahoma State senior offensive linemen Johnny Wilson and Marcus Keyes had just played their final college football game.

But replacing two players out of five on the offensive line isn't a terribly hard task.

Six months later, Dylan Galloway decided to retire from football, and the Cowboys found themselves with another hole to fill.

Then last week, starter Bryce Bray and reserve Jacob Farrell were dismissed for a violation of team rules.

And suddenly, the Cowboy offensive line had gone from a group of familiar faces who helped Chuba Hubbard lead the nation in rushing to perhaps the biggest question mark on the team.

“We'll have some young guys that are gonna play for the first time,” coach Mike Gundy said. “Guys that are young aren't going to play as good as experienced guys. The one thing we talk about all the time in our program is you never know when your chance is gonna be there.”

With the depth of talent OSU has recruited on the offensive line over the last few years, young players are primed to step into starting jobs.

Of last year's primary starters, only Teven Jenkins remains, and he's making the move from right to left tackle. Next to him, West Virginia graduate transfer Josh Sills has settled into his new surroundings, and was a second- team All- Big 12 selection in 2018.

At center, fifth- year senior and former walkon Ry Schneider gained experience filling in for injured players each of the past two seasons. In all, he's played in 17 games with six starts.

Behind him, Tyrese Williams — who had a viral video during the pandemic that showed him pulling an oversized pickup — has gained momentum with a good preseason camp.

Right tackle and right guard are the positions of intrigue for offensive line coach Charlie Dickey with the Cowboys just over three weeks from the season- opener against Tulsa on Sept. 12 at Boone Pickens Stadium.

“In this situation, we've got to have the next man step forward and go,” offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn said. “Hopefully they're in there getting extra time with Coach Dickey.

“I'd be surprised if we're not ready to fill those spots and keep rolling just like normal.”

Lately, 6-foot-6, 318pound redshirt sophomore Hunter Anthony, who saw spot duty at right guard last year, has taken over the right tackle job.

Guard is a little more competitive, with redshirt sophomore Hunter Woodard, 6-5, 295, and redshirt freshman Cole Birmingham, 6- 8, 308, battling for first- team snaps.

“We have a couple young guys that have to step up and play,” Gundy said. “Everybody else has to make those adjustments. Coaches have to make adjustments just like the players. We just push forward and stay the course.”