Oklahoma State football provided the best of both worlds for OL Tyler Mercer
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STILLWATER — Tyler Mercer didn’t leave North Texas after the 2024 season because he was unhappy playing for Eric Morris.
The young offensive lineman wanted to play Power Four football, so he transferred to Kansas.
And in January, when he entered the transfer portal again, he realized he could have the best of both worlds with Oklahoma State football.
“I loved playing for Coach,” Mercer said Wednesday following the Cowboys’ seventh spring practice of the Morris era. “Coach trusted me, he put me on the field and I was a Freshman All-American. Leaving wasn’t anything against Coach.
“I had a great time at Kansas and enjoyed that, but thought it’d be a good decision to enter the portal. Coach got the job here, and I was like, there’s not a better fit than coming back to the coach I was an All-American with.”
Mercer dealt with an injury and redshirted at Kansas last season, making him a redshirt sophomore this fall with the Cowboys. And he’s the frontrunner to be the starting center — the same position he played for Morris at North Texas.
Bringing him to OSU felt like a good fit from Morris’ perspective as well.
“We put so much on the center,” Morris said. “So first and foremost, how smart he is. He’s got a really, really high football IQ. He was really well-coached in high school at Prosper (Texas).
“I think when you add his strength now, it’s a lot better now than when we had him at North Texas. Last year, redshirting, he was able to really commit himself to getting stronger in the weight room. You can see the difference in him. He’s a high-IQ, blue-collar, going to work his tail off everyday.”
Newcomers with Oklahoma ties
Mercer and defensive end James Williams came to OSU from out-of-state schools, with Mercer from Kansas and Williams from Florida State.
Yet both have some unique Oklahoma — and Bedlam — ties.
Mercer’s father is originally from Norman and his mother from Duncan, and his brothers both live in Oklahoma. But where, exactly?
“That school down the street,” Mercer said with a sly grin.
But he’s not the only new Cowboy with a tie to OU.
Williams’ parents met as students at OU, while his father, John, was playing football for the Sooners from 1998-2000. And James’ grandfather also played at OU.
James grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, but remained an OU fan early in life. He began his college career at Iowa Central Community College before stints at Nebraska and Florida State.
Defensive ends showing talent, depth
Asked about a position that has impressed him so far in spring, Morris pointed to the depth of his edge rushers.
That position returned the most Cowboys from last year’s squad with Jaleel Johnson, DeSean Brown, Malik Charles and Rashod Bradley all having been in the rotation.
Then Morris’ staff added guys like Williams, Kevian Huddleston, DJ Jackson Jr., Billy Walton III and others.
The group provides experience, depth and variety.
“It’s been tough for us to block them on the edge at tackle at times,” Morris said. “It’s a sign of good things, the pass rush aspect of it. Coach (Greg) Richmond has done a phenomenal job with that whole group.
“Having the speed on the edge — it might be the deepest room we have at this time. Defensive end in particular, more so than the interior.”
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. 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: OSU football provided the best of both worlds for Tyler Mercer
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