Oklahoma
Three Oklahoma State football position battles to watch in 2024 preseason practices
Mike Gundy expects Ollie Gordon to carry load for Oklahoma State football
Mike Gundy expects Ollie Gordon to carry load for Oklahoma State football
STILLWATER — With nearly every job already spoken for by a returning starter, preseason camp has been uneventful from a position battle perspective for Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys are just over a week into the preseason, and just over three weeks from the opening game against South Dakota State at 1 p.m. Aug. 31 at Boone Pickens Stadium.
While the Pokes return roughly 20 starters, that leaves only a few starting positions to be won, but here’s a look at three important ones at this point of camp:
More: How Oklahoma State football QB Zane Flores grew during redshirt year: ‘He’s ready’
Safety
This might be the most unique position battle in preseason camp for the Cowboys because it primarily involves experienced players. Five different guys started at least one game at safety last year and all five are back, plus UTEP transfer Kobe Hylton has inserted himself into the discussion since arriving in January.
One aspect that remains unclear is just how frequently Kendal Daniels will line up at safety, a detail coach Mike Gundy continues to dance around. Even when Daniels is at linebacker, the safety group has plenty of experience to go around for the three starting jobs.
Trey Rucker seems locked into his spot once again, but the other two openings could go a variety of ways. Cameron Epps and Dylan Smith got good experience splitting time after Lyrik Rawls was hurt last year. Rawls is back to health and in the mix as well. Hylton has looked good, and less experienced backups like Ty Williams and Parker Robertson are fighting for spots in the two-deep.
More: Sean Snyder brings ‘refreshing’ experience to Oklahoma State football special teams
Tight end
It’s hard to tell how much of a battle this one will be, but it’s the most significant job opening on the offensive side of the ball, where basically every other starter returns. Tyler Foster, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound super-senior transfer from Ohio, looks like the frontrunner after stepping in during the spring. He has experience, as well as the versatility to be an effective blocker and pass-catcher.
Quinton Stewart is a veteran who has filled the role of an extra blocker the last couple years. Stillwater product Josh Ford has wowed coaches with his physicality as a true freshman, which could earn him some snaps. And Tabry Shettron continues to develop in the background.
The position has good depth, which is important at a spot that became more frequently used in a variety of areas last year.
More: Oklahoma State football’s Lyrik Rawls aims to reclaim starting safety spot after ACL tear
Placekicker
This is an interesting one, because it includes a late addition to the party. Drake Tabor, a journeyman who was an all-state kicker at Hoover (Alabama) High School, joined the program a week ago and has thrust himself into the competition with Logan Ward and Kason Shrum.
Still, Ward looks like the favorite and is enjoying his recent work with newly added kicking coach Sean Snyder. Ward, a walk-on from Deer Creek High School in Edmond, has filled many roles for the Cowboys. He took over as punter in 2022 when Tom Hutton tore his ACL. He was the kickoff specialist last year, and filled in on extra points at times.
Ward has proven to have a strong leg and is working this preseason to dial in his accuracy.
Kip Lewis returning for his redshirt senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the biggest wins of the offseason. Lewis has built an impressive career in Norman, racking up 209 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.
Beyond his production, Lewis has become one of the emotional leaders of the Oklahoma locker room. Although the NFL was an option, Lewis believed another season learning under Brent Venables would put him in the best position for long-term success.
In a video shared by Oklahoma, Lewis explained the factors that led him to return to Norman for another season.
“I talked to a lot of people,” Lewis said. “Mostly, my family and then my dad. He was just giving me key points that he felt like I should have come back… Mostly talked to a couple of my teammates like John (Mateer) and Isaiah (Sategna), getting their thoughts on what their plan was. I asked Danny (Stutsman) for advice. Talked to him for a little bit. Advice from Danny really stood out to me.”
Getting advice from Stutsman likely played a significant role in Lewis’ decision. Stutsman was in a similar position following a strong 2023 season. Stutsman elected to return to Norman in 2024 and had another strong individual season. That resulted in him being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Lewis’ decision to return gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and talented linebackers in the country for another season. By following the same path as Stutsman, Lewis is betting on development and another opportunity to improve his draft stock.
If he continues to lead at the level he has throughout his career, his final season in Norman could be the one that cements him as one of the top defensive players in college football.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
TULSA, Okla — Tulsa has seen a boost in its food industry, thanks in part to a growing population.
Local News
Study shows Hispanic population boom boosting Tulsa economy
The Hispanic and Latino population has also contributed to the Oklahoma economy through restaurants, catering businesses, and food trucks.
According to a study conducted by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the number of Hispanic and Latino individuals who have gone into the state’s food service industry has grown by more than 12,000 between 2001 and 2021.
To help continue this growth, the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation is starting up its “Lanzamiento Program” for Spanish speakers who are interested in pursuing a career in the culinary industry.
Local News
Mother Road Market hosts program for Hispanic, Latino food entrepreneurs
The classes are held in partnership with Mother Road Market for 12 weeks.
Wendy Henriquez is the owner of Sugar Crave and completed the program back in 2024.
She said it was a huge help when it came to learning the ins and outs of the industry.
It also helped her that it was all in Spanish, the language she prefers.
“All of the classes were focused on the regulations here in the United States and Oklahoma needing to be met,” she said. “In every class, we had experts talk to us about things like taking out loans, insurance, credit.”
“Wow, I mean it isn’t easy, but it’s possible,” she said. “Perseverance is important.”
Abel Aguilar is the Program Manager in charge of the Lanzamiento course.
“We believe it’s important because not only do we have a strong population of both Hispanic and Latin entrepreneurs here in Tulsa, they may not know the resources that they have available to them,” he said.
While tuition doesn’t start off as being free of charge, there are financial assistance options to help.
We Street Credit Union has also pitched in to offer funds for financial assistance so some weight can be taken off of the participant.
Aguilar also said Lobeck Taylor will work something out if finances are the only obstacle to applying.
For others interested in other resources to help kickstart their business, Avanzando Juntos is also a non-profit organization that can help.
Primarily for Spanish speakers, Avanzando Juntos helps connect business owners with grants and funding that can help eliminate some of the costs that come with starting a business.
For those interested in applying to the “Lanzamiento” Program, you can visit the Kitchen 66 website for the application.
Isabel Flores is your North & East Tulsa reporter.
Is there something you think she should know about or look into?
You can email her at Isabel.Flores@kjrh.com.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
1. Death of inmate at Oklahoma County Detention Center under investigation
Oklahoma County Detention Center.
• 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow found unresponsive
• Taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead
• Active investigation ongoing
Officials are investigating the death of an inmate at the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
Officers found 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow unresponsive just before 7 p.m. Sunday. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Whitecrow had been booked into the jail in April.
This remains an active investigation.
The Oklahoma County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating after Dancing Feathers Whitecrow, 33, died in custody.
2. Deadly hit-and-run in southwest Oklahoma City
• Pedestrian struck and killed near Southwest 61st and May
• Crash happened just before midnight
• No description of the vehicle yet
Oklahoma City Police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run that happened late Tuesday in southwest Oklahoma City.
One person was struck and killed by a vehicle near Southwest 61st and May just before midnight on Wednesday.
Police say they currently have no description of the vehicle involved.
3. Elderly Moore woman mauled to death by dog
• 86-year-old Beatrice Carruth found dead July 2nd
• Dog belonged to her son, who was previously arrested in a related incident
• Dog has been euthanized
An 86-year-old Moore woman was mauled to death in her home by her son’s dog.
Beatrice Carruth was found dead on July 2nd. Family members say the dog, a Labrador and American Pit Bull Terrier mix, had previously attacked her in May.
The dog was euthanized Monday.
The Moore Police Department arrived at the scene near Northeast 27th Street and Highland Drive to find a woman with severe injuries.
4. Cattle rescue after semi overturns on I-40 near Tinker
News 9
• Mayberry family from Oklahoma City Stockyards helped clear the scene
• 109 head of cattle in trailer; more than 80 survived
• Similar crashes have happened in recent years
A family of ranchers helped rescue cattle after a semi overturned on I-40 near Tinker Air Force Base.
The Mayberry family responded to the scene and worked to safely remove the animals. They say they’ve assisted with several similar crashes over the past four years.
A trailer carrying 62 head of cattle overturned Tuesday morning, leaving only a single westbound lane of I-40 open for hours as crews rescued trapped animals.
5. Attorney General Drummond sues Allstate over insurance practices
• Lawsuit accuses company of denying or underpaying wind and hail claims
• Alleges use of undisclosed restrictive standards
• Similar lawsuit previously filed against State Farm
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is suing Allstate, accusing the insurance company of running a scheme to deny or underpay wind and hail claims.
The lawsuit alleges Allstate used undisclosed restrictive standards to limit coverage for Oklahomans. Drummond says the company is putting profits ahead of policyholders.
A similar lawsuit was previously filed against State Farm.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court and alleges violations of state consumer protection and anti-racketeering laws.
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Editor’s note: We used AI tools to help with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed everything before publication.
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