Grad transfers came in ready to prove themselves
STILLWATER — The newest member of Oklahoma State’s running back quartet, Utah State graduate transfer Jaylen Warren, is a unique back for a variety of reasons.
He’s built differently than anyone else in the Oklahoma State backfield at 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds. He played at the junior college level and Division I before arriving at OSU.
Despite being new to the program, Warren brings a veteran mentality to a group that is full of experience with seniors LD Brown and Dezmon Jackson, plus sophomore Dominic Richardson.
Warren rushed for 252 yards in three games for Utah State last season. In 2019, he rushed for 569 yards on 112 carries, for an average of 5.1 yards per carry.
OSU coach Mike Gundy saw a lot to like in Warren when deciding to bring him in as a transfer last winter.
“A lot of experience, success at a high level, very physical,” Gundy said. “He’s a great young man, unselfish, willing to work hard, and is gonna play well.”
The other graduate transfer, senior center Danny Godlevske, presented many of the same traits, coming in after starting four years at Miami of Ohio.
“Danny gives us a lot of the same that Jaylen does,” Gundy said. “He’s played at a high level for a long period of time. He’s been successful. He came in unselfish. He came in and said, ‘I have to prove myself.’ Both young men did.
“He wasn’t entitled to anything. Great young man, great work habits, competes and he’s tough. Those things are gonna allow him to play good.”
Godlevske is listed as the starting center, as he was in the spring. Warren will be part of the running back committee the Cowboys expect to use this season.
Gundy excited for Weeden’s broadcast career
Former OSU quarterback Brandon
Weeden will make his color commentary debut in the booth for the Cowboys’ game against Missouri State at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+.
Weeden will be partnered with Courtney Lyle on play-by-play and Shane Sparks on the sideline.
Gundy thinks Weeden is an ideal fit in the broadcast booth.
“He ought to be good,” Gundy said. “He knows the game. Should have a little Tony Romo in him, should be able to call things before it happens. You start calling plays out before it happens, all of a sudden you get a $6 million contract.
“Weeden ought to be a guy who can do some of that. Plus he has a great personality. People like him. He comes across good. So I would guess that he
would do really well.”
Missouri State names starting quarterback
It’s only been a few months since Missouri State finished its spring season, playing seven games and losing in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
But the Bears will have a new starting quarterback for the fall. Jason Shelley — a transfer from Utah State and former teammate of OSU senior running back Jaylen Warren — won the job over spring starter Jaden Johnson and backup Jake Van Dyne.
In 2020, Shelley started four games at Utah State, completing 51.5% of his passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns.
“He had a great camp,” Missouri State coach Bobby Petrino told the Springfield News-Leader. “His consistency, his quick release and his ability to understand just a little more and his experience showed up throughout practices. He also showed the ability to adjust to the defense and get the ball out of his hand.”