The Oklahoma State Cowboys have plenty of unheralded players on their football team.
The Oklahoma State football team rolls into the 2024 season with some national recognition. They have the reigning Doak Walker award winner in running back Ollie Gordon III, as well as six players on the 2024 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team. Yet even with the accolades and arguably the best running back in the nation, Oklahoma State is still an underrated team.
Opening Vegas odds for the team had them as the seventh best team in the conference back in December. Since then, their stock has risen to the third best in the Big 12, behind Utah and Kansas State. The team returns a total of 21 starters, the second most in FBS behind Virginia Tech.
All this to say, the Cowboys could be the best team in the conference this season. And leading the team are three underrated players who can make a difference to the team.
Alan Bowman, Quarterback
Alan Bowman is one of the longest tenured players currently in the FBS. This year will be his seventh(!) season playing college football. He started his college career in 2018 at Texas Tech. He played three seasons for the Red Raiders before transferring to Michigan. After two years at Michigan as a backup, he transferred to Oklahoma State.
The 2023 season for the Cowboys started out pretty rough. There was a quarterback competition that was never resolved before the season started. They went into the season with three quarterbacks – Garret Rangel, Gunnar Gundy, and Bowman. The three players split time in the first three games before Bowman was named the starter for the fourth game and moving forward.
In his career, Bowman has amassed 8,789 total yards, with 49 touchdowns an 32 interceptions. And for 2024, he looks to be the starting quarterback for the Cowboys. With his supporting cast around him, Bowman could take the Cowboys to the Big 12 Championship.
Obi Ezeigbo, Defensive End
One of the most significant transfers Oklahoma State picked up from the portal is former Gannon University defensive end Obi Ezeigbo.
Ezeigbo is a redshirt senior who spent five seasons at Division II Gannon University. He hit Oklahoma State’s radar in the portal due to defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo’s coaching ties to the university. He entered the portal as a four star prospect.
Although Ezeigbo comes from the smaller DII school, he brings power and skill that Oklahoma State needs to revamp its defensive line. He has his best season in 2023 for Gannon, playing in all 11 games. Ezeigbo recorded 27 solo tackles, 27 assists and 4.5 sacks on the year. He was third on the team in tackles for a loss and sacks.
Ezeigbo spent a year under Nardo’s defensive scheme. He looks to jump into a starting position after Oklahoma State graduated two significant players from a year ago. If he can handle the jump from DII to DI football, he could be a significant player for 2024.
De’Zhaun Stribling
While the Oklahoma State offense is loaded with weapons, one underrated receiver not receiving much love is De’Zhaun Stribling.
Erika Brown
Erika Brown is a fantasy football writer for The League Winners. A journalism graduate from Oklahoma State University, she enjoys watching OkState football games and writing about college football.