Oklahoma State Football’s Rising Star for 2024
Oklahoma State football is known for its toughness in the Big 12 conference, consistently ranking near the top under head coach Mike Gundy. This season should be no different. The Cowboys are returning Doak Walker Award-winning rusher Ollie Gordon II, who is expected to shine once again. However, another standout to watch out for is defensive graduate transfer Obi Ezeigbo, an edge rusher from Gannon University in Pennsylvania.
Despite Ezeigbo’s Division II background, he is poised to be one of the top pass rushers in the Big 12 this year. In the 2023 season, he led Gannon with 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. With four years of college football experience, Ezeigbo brings valuable maturity and skill to the Cowboys’ defensive line, which lost key players from last season.
Ezeigbo is already familiar with Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo, who coached him at Gannon in 2022. Their existing rapport should ease his transition into the Cowboys’ lineup. Fans and coaches alike are hopeful that Ezeigbo’s impact will help keep Oklahoma State competitive as the conference undergoes changes with the addition of four new schools.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma State opens its 2024 season against South Dakota State, followed by games against Arkansas and Tulsa in the non-conference schedule. Ezeigbo will have early opportunities to showcase his skills, competing for a starting role and playing a significant role in the Cowboys’ defensive strategy, especially in critical third-down situations.
The Cowboys’ Big 12 schedule begins with a matchup against new conference member Utah on September 21, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season in Stillwater.
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