Oklahoma State football stock report: Defense shows improvements under Clint Bowen

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STILLWATER — A nine-game losing streak can dull the feelings of success if that success doesn’t result in wins.

But the turnaround of the Oklahoma State defense has earned some acclaim, considering what interim coordinator Clint Bowen has done since moving from his previous role as an offensive analyst.

“Six weeks ago, full disclosure, there were defensive guys I didn’t know their names,” Bowen said after the Cowboys’ 14-6 loss to Kansas State last Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium. “We’re at the Arizona game and I’m having to call people by their jersey number.”

Bowen took over a defense that had just given up 612 yards to Baylor on Sept. 27.

In Bowen’s first two games, the unit allowed 478 yards to Arizona and 485 to Houston.

In the games since, the defense gave up 427 yards (Cincinnati), 370 yards (Texas Tech), 342 yards (Kansas) and 284 yards (Kansas State).

The K-State game represents the second-lowest yardage total by an FBS opponent since Jim Knowles left the Cowboy sideline in 2021.

“In the last four or five games, they’ve consistently decreased the amount of yards our opponent has got for five weeks in a row and gotten better with a fairly not-so-deep group of guys,” OSU interim head coach Doug Meacham said. “I’m really pleased with how Clint Bowen has taken the reins and done what they've done

“So my hat’s off to him.”

Here’s a look at this week’s edition of the OSU stock report:

Oklahoma State football stock report

Stock rising

OSU defense: Not only have the yardage totals dropped, but the Cowboys gave up just two touchdown drives against a K-State offense that came in averaging 29.8 points per game.

Logan Ward, placekicker: He was on the other side of the stock report two weeks ago following his rough day at Kansas, but the veteran kicker returned to his consistent ways against K-State. He booted a pair of field goals, both from 47 yards, with his only miss coming at 55 yards. He’s 13 of 18 for the season, with only one miss inside 40 yards.

Stock falling

Tight end depth: Redshirt freshman Grayson Brousseau admitted this week that he entered this season expecting it to be more of a developmental year for him as a young player in a deep tight end group. He was fifth on the depth chart when the year began, but injuries and attrition led to him starting and playing 58 of 69 snaps against Kansas State.

Hauss Hejny’s potential return: With just two games left, it grows less and less likely that the redshirt freshman quarterback will take the field for the Cowboys this season. Hejny suffered a broken foot in the season opener that required surgery, and though he is no longer walking with a protective boot, it looks like he is not in position to play.

Another recruit returns

Oklahoma State lost roughly half of its 2026 recruiting class in the weeks after Mike Gundy’s firing.

But with some recent momentum on the recruiting trail, OSU picked up two new commitments, and brought two prospects back into the class.

Berryhill offensive lineman Aiden Martin was the first to rejoin the class. And over the weekend, Owasso safety Carter Langenderfer recommitted to the Cowboys, announcing his decision on social media after attending the Kansas State game.

With the addition of Owasso receiver Julius Wilson, the Cowboys are up to nine high school commitments in the 2026 class, with the opening of the early signing period set for Dec. 3.

Redshirt tracker: Another freshman debut

As the season winds down, more true freshmen have seen the field, with a tight end making his college debut last week.

Carson Su’esu’e, who was an early enrollee at BYU last January, then transferred to OSU over the summer, got on the field for the first time this season.

A 6-foot-5, 240-pound California native, Su’esu’e was a high school quarterback, and BYU had targeted him as a potential linebacker.

With the Cowboys down to redshirt freshman Grayson Brousseau and offensive lineman Gage Stanaland, who serves in a blocking role, Su’esu’e worked his way onto the field for 12 snaps.

Here’s a look at the status of redshirt-eligible players who have appeared in games this season:

Seniors: None
Juniors: Defensive end Rashod Bradley (4); longsnapper Shea Freibaum (4*); receiver Jaylen Lloyd (2*); tight end Will Monney (4*); safety Dylan Smith (4*); defensive tackle De’Marion Thomas (4*).
Sophomores: Safety Jeremy Cook Jr., (1); tight end Josh Ford (4*); safety David Kabongo (4*); cornerback Carrington Pierce (1).
Freshmen: Quarterback Banks Bowen (2); longsnapper Jaxson Duffield (1); running back DJ Dugar Jr. (1); cornerback Draden Fullbright (3), receiver Matrail Lopez (1); receiver Kam Powell (2); tight end Carson Su’esu’e (1); safety Ayden Webb (1); linebacker Carl’Veon Young (2).
Players who surpassed four-game barrier to redshirt: Freshman receiver Royal Capell; sophomore safety Landyn Cleveland; sophomore defensive end Kyran Duhon; cornerback Kobi Foreman; senior linebacker Bryan McCoy Jr.; sophomore receiver Shamar Rigby.

*-Expected to redshirt or enter transfer portal.

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.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football stock report: Defense better under Clint Bowen

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