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Previewing Oklahoma State’s 2024 Special Teams Units

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Previewing Oklahoma State’s 2024 Special Teams Units


Oklahoma State is looking to build off its 10-win season, and special teams will be a significant factor.

The Cowboys’ offense and defense will return most of their starters from last season, yet some new faces will make an impact on special teams. While there will be no shortage of explosive plays from the Cowboys next season, using special teams to aid the in-between will be critical to their Big 12 title and College Football Playoff hopes. With recently hired kickers and punter coach Sean Snyder, the Cowboys have abundant potential.

David Arriaga, K, Fr.

Aidan Davenport, LS, R-Sr.

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Shea Freibaum, LS, So.

Hudson Kaak, P, So.

Wes Pahl, P, R-Sr.

Kason Shrum, K, R-Sr.

Drake Tabor, K, R-Jr.

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Logan Ward, K, R-Jr.

Kicker:

Alex Hale was a star kicker for the Cowboys in 2023, but his departure leaves some uncertainty. After transfer kicker Sam Babbush left the team, Ward likely sealed the starting job. While Tabor is a recent addition for depth and Shrum is entering his third season in Stillwater, the Cowboys are unlikely to have anyone other than Ward attempting place kicks, barring injury.

Logan Ward

Drake Tabor

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David Arriaga

Kason Shrum

Punter:

Last season, the Cowboys’ two punters split time on fourth downs. Kaak punted 38 times and averaged 39.7 yards on his boots. Meanwhile, Pahl gave the Cowboys a better option for kicking deep, punting 27 times and averaging 45.1 yards on his kicks. The Cowboys might be interested in going with a similar approach next season, but it seems that Kaak is in position to be the leading punter again.

Hudson Kaak

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Wes Pahl

READ MORE: Oklahoma State’s Kendal Daniels ‘Doing Good’ Ahead Of Versatile Role

Long Snapper:

After a successful season in 2023, Freibaum looks to be the clear choice to keep his spot as the Cowboys’ starting long snapper. Still, Davenport adds some depth for the Cowboys after transferring from Bucknell in the offseason.

Shea Freibaum

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Aidan Davenport

Returners:

Brennan Presley and Jaden Nixon returned all but one punt or kick for OSU last season, and Nixon’s departure likely grants Presley the No. 1 spot as a returner. Oklahoma transfer Gavin Freeman will likely get some opportunities in Stillwater as well. Although he has never returned kickoffs, Freeman returned 18 punts for the Sooners in 2023, including one for a touchdown. 

Brennan Presley

Gavin Freeman

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READ MORE: Ollie Gordon Highlights Doak Walker Award Watch List

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Fire Crews respond to commercial fire in SW Oklahoma City Wednesday afternoon

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Fire Crews respond to commercial fire in SW Oklahoma City Wednesday afternoon


Oklahoma City fire crews responded to a commercial fire in SW Oklahoma City on Wednesday afternoon.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department said crews responded to a fire at a vacant restaurant near SW 29th and South Miller Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.

Crews extinguished the flames, which were shooting up through the roof, according to OKCFD.

No injuries were reported, and OKCFD is working to determine the cause of the fire.

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Woman hospitalized after house fire in northeast Oklahoma City

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Woman hospitalized after house fire in northeast Oklahoma City


Authorities say one woman was taken to the hospital following an early morning house fire in northeast Oklahoma City.

Around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Oklahoma City firefighters were called to a house fire near N.E. 13th St. and Missouri.

When crews arrived, they found the victim on the front porch of the home.

“When they got off the rig and initiated offensive fire attack, found one victim on the front porch. Appeared she was maybe suffering from smoke inhalation. The fire was relatively small. It was contained to one bedroom in the back. The patient was transported, was treated here, and then transported to OU,” said Batt. Chief Brad Smith, with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.

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Officials said the fire originated in the back of the house, in a back bedroom near the closet.

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However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.



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Bode Sparrow commits Friday: why BYU is Oklahoma’s biggest threat for the Davis star

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Bode Sparrow commits Friday: why BYU is Oklahoma’s biggest threat for the Davis star


Kaysville (Utah) Davis athlete Bode Sparrow cut his list to four back in May and has now locked in his commitment date.

Sparrow is a tremendous player on both sides of the ball and checks in as the No. 77 player nationally in the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

He will make his long awaited college choice this Friday, May 25 from a final four of BYU, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah.

In handicapping this race, two schools jump out for us. The first is Oklahoma. I put a commit prediction in for the Sooners back in March and there was some buzz that he could commit around that time.

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Sparrow decided to hold off making an early decision in order to take his official visits. Oklahoma was the first visit locked in and for awhile, the only visit that was set, giving even more credence to the Sooners being the team to beat.

“They really believe in me and have a vision for me there,” Sparrow told us after his official visit. “They show me so much love and I have such great relationships with the coaches there.

“I also really like the town of Norman and the plan in place for me from a safety/scheme standpoint. They really have everything I’m looking for in a school. Brent Venables is great, a defensive minded head coach and I just love the all around fit.”

Sparrow followed up his visit to OU with trips to Oregon, Utah and BYU. The Ducks made a big impression and should be considered a dark horse. They are easily one of the toughest schools to recruit against and it would surprise no one if Sparrow ends in Eugene.

Saying that, the school that is gaining a lot of momentum and looks to be Oklahoma’s biggest challenger is BYU. For months we talked to some close to Sparrow, college coaches and trainers who all said the same thing, ‘don’t rule out BYU in the end.’

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No one has recruited Sparrow longer than the Cougs. He has been on campus more than any other school, he’s strong in his LDS faith and he has a great connection with the BYU staff including head coach Kalani Sitake.

BYU was able to get the final visit over the weekend and there is some quiet confidence in Provo as well as from a few other recruits/commits who were also on the visit. With the church connection, we’ve long said in a head to head battle, BYU is very tough to beat, especially for an in-state player.

Saying that, there are still Sooner commits we’ve talked to convinced Sparrow is still headed to Norman. That’s why this recruitment has become one of the more fascinating ones to follow this cycle, it’s one of those rare instances where days away from a decision, it could still go in multiple directions.

For now, my commit prediction remains on Oklahoma but BYU is closing fast and this one close to a toss up with a decision quickly approaching.

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