Oklahoma
Getting Young Players Reps a Priority For Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State has one of the most experienced teams in college football, but finding time for its young players is imperative.
OSU goes into the 2024 season looking to compete for a Big 12 title and a trip to the College Football Playoff. Although the team is filled with talent in the starting lineup, its younger players further down the depth chart will be the key to the future.
Getting reps for those young players is critical for OSU because of the team’s returning production. While the Cowboys look almost identical to the team they put on the field in 2023, many veteran players will be gone in 2025, and that team could look unrecognizable. Although OSU coach Mike Gundy is no stranger to roster turnover, next season could be one of the most drastic he has seen in his two decades at the helm.
“They’re getting a lot of reps in practice,” Gundy said. “It’s not the same but, you guys know, you’ve watched me forever, as soon as we get in a position, we’re going to put other guys in and let them play. We don’t leave guys in for statistics or to run the score up. We’ve never done that. We want other guys in so they can play.”
READ MORE: Oklahoma State WRs Laud Offense Heading into 2024: ‘Picking Your Poison’
OSU might not get many opportunities to let the starters rest next season, with a nonconference schedule that features South Dakota State and Arkansas. However, finding moments for the younger backups will be necessary. While some areas of the roster, like defensive backs, feature young stars such as Cam Smith and Cameron Epps, others are in a much more dire spot beyond this season.
For example, five of the Cowboys’ six returning starters along the offensive line are entering their sixth college football season. This means getting game action for potential future contributors such as Austin Kawecki, Noah McKinney and Davis Dotson could be impactful for the program’s future.
“That’s what they want to do is play in games,” Gundy said. “Their moms and dads deserve to see them play, and the experience they get being out there in a game is very important. That’s not something we can replace.”
READ MORE: Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy’s Son Opens Up On Transfer To Division II Program
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Another offensive lineman from Oklahoma’s heralded 2024 group of freshman has decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Third-year sophomore tackle Isaiah Autry-Dent announced Monday on social media that he’ll be entering the portal when it opens on Jan. 2.
“I’m truly grateful for the incredible, life-changing experience I’ve had at the University of Oklahoma,” he wrote. “The dedication of the staff, the camaraderie with my teammates, and the unwavering support from the fans have made this journey unforgettable. I’ve learned lessons on and off the field that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I’m thankful for every moment, every challenge and every triumph along the way.”
Dent added that he’s “given it a great deal of thought and prayed for guidance” but intends to leave OU with 3-4 years of eligibility remaining and is “excited about exploring new opportunities to continue growing as a player and as a person.”
After much prayer and family talks, I’ll enter the transfer portal on January 2 with three years of eligibility left. Thank you #SoonerNation pic.twitter.com/AM15EMHlHV
— Isaiah R Autry-Dent (@Isaiah_Zay73) December 22, 2025
Dent was one of five offensive linemen signed in the 2024 class, and he’s the third one to leave, joining Eugene Brooks and Josh Aisosa. After just two seasons, only Eddy Pierre-Louis and Daniel Akinkunmi remain.
Dent was listed at 304 pounds as a true freshman but in July checked in at 317 pounds — the biggest overall weight gain of any offensive player, which was a reflection of his hard work and dedication as the OU offensive line made an offseason mandate to get bigger and stronger.
Last spring, senior center Troy Everett was asked to assess Dent’s progress following his freshman season.
“Isaiah works hard,” Everett said. “Isaiah’s going to be great. Isaiah, right now, he’s just got to get comfortable when he’s out there, but that goes for every young guy.”
Read More Transfer Portal News
OU Transfer Portal Tracker
Oklahoma LB to Enter Portal
What Positions Must Oklahoma Address in the Portal?
Dent played in just one game — against Maine — and logged just 26 snaps on offense and nine snaps on special teams during the 2024 season, then didn’t get on the field at all in 2025.
The former 3-star prospect from Fulton, MS, is a second cousin to former OU running back Marcus Dupree. His mother, Pashen Dent-Autry, was a two-time national champion basketball player for Tennessee legend Pat Summitt.
Autry was a consensus 3-star prospect coming out as a high school All-American at Itawamba Agricultural High School, where he was a 6-foot-7, 300-pound standout.
Autry picked the Sooners over Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Ole Miss, among others, and could have plenty of options.
Sometimes, all that matters is getting in.
Then, anything can happen.
The postseason is unique in that way, no matter the sport. It can have a cleansing effect, providing a clean slate.
Maybe that’s what is happening with Alabama. I stand by my column the weekend the College Football Playoff pairings were announced, that Notre Dame deserved a spot over the Crimson Tide, that how a team finishes should matter. Alabama hadn’t been very good to close the regular season. It nearly lost to mediocre SEC opponents South Carolina, LSU and Auburn, fell to Oklahoma and was crushed by Georgia in the SEC championship game.
Insurance affordability is becoming a growing concern for Oklahoma families as premiums rise across health, homeowners and auto coverage, with little action from Congress to slow the increases.
Lawmakers and policy advocates say insurance costs are rising faster than many households can afford, forcing families to choose between keeping coverage, accepting higher deductibles or dropping insurance altogether.
Health insurance premiums remain a particular concern as Oklahoma continues to rank near the bottom nationally for overall health outcomes, increasing the stakes for families who rely on consistent coverage.
Frustration with federal inaction
During recent discussions on Your Vote Counts, state leaders expressed frustration that Congress left Washington for the holiday recess without advancing legislation aimed at stabilizing insurance markets or easing premium increases.
Federal officials had previously discussed proposals to offset rising costs, including direct payments to consumers, but no agreement was reached before the recess.
Rising costs across all coverage types
Rising costs are not limited to health coverage. Homeowners and auto insurance premiums have also climbed sharply, driven by inflation, higher repair costs and an increase in insurance claims nationwide.
Some lawmakers fear the cumulative impact could push more Oklahomans out of the insurance market entirely, particularly younger adults who may choose to go without coverage.
Watch part 2 of Your Vote Counts in the player below
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