Oklahoma State football stock report: Punter Wes Pahl deserves postseason honors

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Oklahoma State football stock report: Punter Wes Pahl deserves postseason honors

STILLWATER — As the season nears its end, Oklahoma State doesn’t look to be in contention for many postseason honors across the college football landscape.

But don’t count out the Cowboys entirely.

While it might not be a fun way to celebrate potential recognition, punter Wes Pahl deserves some credit for the work he’s done this year. 

The redshirt senior punter boosted his average with a strong showing in the 17-14 loss at UCF with seven punts for an average of 48.0 yards. That included two boots over 50 yards and three that were downed inside the 20.

For the season, Pahl is now averaging 46.5 yards per punt, which is in the top 15 nationally and second in the Big 12 by three-tenths of a yard. 

The league leader is Baylor’s Palmer Williams at 46.8, but he has posted his average on just 25 attempts, while Pahl has more than doubled that number at 58.

Going into the final week of the regular season, no punter has a better average on as many attempts as Pahl.

The Cowboys could contend for postseason recognition in a few key areas, but Pahl has the best case.

Here’s a look at this week’s stock report:

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Oklahoma State football stock report

Stock rising

LaDainian Fields, cornerback: The redshirt freshman from Del City High School made the start for the Cowboys at UCF and came up with his second interception of the season. That ties him with Parker Robertson for the team lead. Not bad for a kid who had only played special teams until the fifth game of the year.

Ammunition sales: The Cowboys are shooting themselves in the foot so much lately — particularly on offense — that they keep having to restock on extra bullets for Pistol Pete’s sixshooter.

Stock falling

Chances of victory: As much as it hurts, UCF was the Pokes’ most beatable opponent. To let a 14-point lead disappear is painful. And now they have to take on an Iowa State team that hasn’t been as successful as it had hoped, but has been much better than what OSU has shown it’s capable of this season.

More: Oklahoma State football collapses vs UCF to derail best chance at Big 12 win

Redshirt tracker

Oklahoma State tight end Oscar Hammond poses for a photograph during the Oklahoma State Cowboys football media days in Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Saturday, Aug., 2, 2025.

The redshirt class for the season is essentially set. Only a couple players still with the team are at the four-game mark and would burn their redshirt status by playing in the season finale. 

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 (2); receiver Kam Powell (3); tight end Carson Su’esu’e (2); safety Ayden Webb (1); linebacker Carl’Veon Young (3).
  • Redshirt-eligible players who have not appeared in a game: Offensive lineman Jaylen Beckley, Fr.; offensive lineman Miguel Chavez, Fr.; offensive lineman Simona Fuailetolo, Fr.; offensive lineman Ryker Haff, Fr.; tight end Oscar Hammond, Sr.; kicker Gabe Panikowski, Sr.*; receiver Jaden Perez, Fr.; safety Jo Pierce, Fr.; defensive end Michael Riles, Fr.*; quarterback Mason Schubert, Fr.; tight end Jordan Vyborny, Fr.
  • Players who surpassed four-game barrier to redshirt: Receiver Royal Capell, Fr.; safety Landyn Cleveland, So.; defensive end Kyran Duhon, So.; cornerback Kobi Foreman, Fr.; linebacker Bryan McCoy, Sr.; receiver Shamar Rigby, So.

*-Entered 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.

OSU vs. Iowa State

KICKOFF: 11 a.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater (ESPNU)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why Oklahoma State football punter Wes Pahl deserves postseason awards

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