Morris Sets Blue-Collar Tone Ahead of Tulsa Opener
New Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris emphasized a gritty, physical approach as the Cowboys prepare for their season opener against Tulsa. He discussed a tight end rotation and high internal expectations despite external predictions of a middle-of-the-pack Big 12 finish. The team has 92 new players from the transfer portal and 25 holdovers.
Morris enters his first season at Oklahoma State with a roster transformed through the transfer portal, as 92 newcomers join just 25 returning players from last year's 1-11 squad. The coaching staff plans to carry roughly 76-77 players to Tulsa, slightly more than a typical conference road trip, to manage heat concerns and give younger players special teams experience.
The tight end position remains unsettled entering Week 1, with Carson Kolb and Morgan McPhaul listed atop the depth chart ahead of more heralded transfers Donovan Green and Oscar Hammond. Morris indicated playing time will be earned through consistency rather than predetermined roles, noting his North Texas starter previously handled 70 percent of snaps but that approach won't carry over this season.
This game could signal how quickly a program can rebuild through the transfer portal era, potentially influencing how other struggling teams approach roster construction. For Oklahoma State fans and alumni, the opener represents hope after a winless conference season, while the blue-collar messaging may resonate with a community that values toughness. The outcome could shape recruiting narratives and ticket sales, though one game rarely defines a season's trajectory.