Oklahoma State football coach Eric Morris leaning on breakfast, extra time with Cowboys

STILLWATER — When he stepped to the podium for his first full team meeting last month, new Oklahoma State football coach Eric Morris noticed a divide through the room.

“All 21 of the North Texas people were sitting on one side, and everybody else over here,” Morris said Wednesday in his first news conference since early December. “So before I even started, everybody had to stand up and sit by somebody they didn’t know in this room.”

The roster released Wednesday outlines the team-building project that has already begun for Morris.

Eighty-one new players, with 61 transfers and 20 high school signees, plus 24 returning players from the 2025 Cowboy roster.

Of the 105-player roster, 21 have played for Morris before, with 18 coming directly from North Texas, and three others who played for Morris there in 2024 but transferred to other programs last year.

“They’re all guys that are familiar with what we do, not only schematically, but how we run a program,” Morris said. “Our communication styles, what’s expected in the offseason — we run a really tough program in the offseason and we want things to be extremely hard for them. And I think anytime you have guys who have already bought into that culture, we have an extra 21 people who know the way that we think the way that we operate.

“And obviously, they’ve had success in the system.”

But for the other 84 players who haven’t played for Morris before, the getting-to-know-you days have already begun, and will be a non-stop process through the spring.

More: Who will Oklahoma State football land on National Signing Day? A look at key additions

“For me, it’s just finding touch points for them,” Morris said. “Every morning, I find a new kid to eat breakfast with. Luckily, where our cafeteria is right now is maybe 30 yards from my office. So that’s a great chance for me to get in there in the mornings and maybe pick a position group to sit down and eat with.

“Usually, my only rule for that is we don’t talk about football. And they’re gonna start asking football questions, but it’s just not allowed. I want to learn more about them as a person, about their family, where they’re from.”

With Morris’ wife and two sons still living in Denton, Texas, the coach doesn’t currently have much of a home life, so he spends a lot of time at the football offices.

“I moved into my house last week,” he said. “I have a mattress. I have one towel that I took from here so I can shower. I bought a case of water and a TV that’s on the floor. So there’s nothing to go home to. 

“So it’s a great opportunity for me to spend a ton of time up here and find time to be around these kids.”

More: How Eric Morris was shaped by a small West Texas town en route to Oklahoma State football

Indiana an inspiration to Morris

Morris understands that mimicking the turnaround of Curt Cignetti at Indiana, winning a national title in his second season after bringing several players and coaches from James Madison, isn’t realistic. 

But considering Morris is following a similar playbook by bringing 18 players and most of his coaching staff from North Texas, he is inspired by Cignetti’s story.

“Indiana being able to do it this year I think put a bunch of people on watch,” Morris said. “Do I think we’re gonna be able to go win it now all the sudden, just because Indiana did it?  No, absolutely not. Curt Cignetti deserves so much credit, not only for the roster he built but for the brand of football he played.

“For college football fans across America, it gives hope to everybody.”

And that includes coaches like him.

“I think it’s exciting for coaches,” he said. “It’s exciting that someone’s now done it and there’s a blueprint to do it. Now, is it easy? Hell no.”

Drew Mestemaker ‘a coach on the field’

With quarterback Drew Mestemaker following Morris from North Texas, he has two years operating Morris’ offense, and had massive success, leading the NCAA in passing yards this past season.

And with that knowledge, Mestemaker is behaving as an extra coach at a time when coaches are limited in their on-field involvement with players.

“As we get into spring ball and we start installing everything, his knowledge of the system is going to help the whole entire offense,” Morris said. “ He definitely has the keys to the car in this offense. It will allow us to operate at such a faster pace in the spring. 

“This Saturday, Drew is gonna take them all out and do Day 1, 2 and 3 installs. Coaches can’t be there, but Drew’s like a coach on the field. He can explain all this stuff and allow us to practice at times when coaches aren’t allowed to be out there.”

Iman Oates, Kale Smith awaiting NCAA waivers

Two names that were absent from the roster OSU released Wednesday, but could be returning are defensive tackle Iman Oates and cornerback Kale Smith.

Morris discussed Oates’ situation, awaiting an NCAA waiver for an additional year because of his time spent playing at a junior college. 

“He has a waiver that is pending right now,” Morris said. 

It has also been reported by PokesReport.com that Smith is awaiting word on a waiver for an additional year because of injury.

News regarding their eligibility should be known in the coming weeks. 

More: Which Oklahoma State football players returning from 2025 could make impact?

Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football coach Eric Morris bonding with new roster