STILLWATER — Mike Gundy has been consistent on his opinion of offensive linemen.
“In most cases,” the Oklahoma State coach says, “those guys aren’t ready to play until their third season in the program.”
Apparently, Bryce Bray is not a “most cases” type of Cowboy.
As a member of Bixby teams that recorded a four-season total of 39 victories and won three state titles, Bray was a force at left offensive tackle. When Oklahoma State opens the 2019 season at Oregon State, the former Spartan could be at left tackle for the Cowboys.
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What a tremendous opportunity for the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Bray. As a redshirt freshman, and only 11 months removed his graduation from Bixby High School, he has a chance to become a fixture at a very important position.
Bray’s football life began when he was a lineman on the Bixby Blue second-grade team. His mother, Christy Bray, was there for every game that season, and for every game since.
On Tuesday, she purchased plane tickets for a trip to Oregon and her son’s college football debut.
“We’re excited and nervous and happy,” Christy Bray said. “It’s always been so fun to watch him play, and now to see him play for OSU, at this level — it’s amazing.”
In a follow-up text message, Christy mentioned that Bryce’s Bixby Blue coach, Kevin Riddle, recently passed away. Christy indicated that coach Riddle would have loved watching Bryce block for the Cowboys.
Bryce Bray’s Oklahoma State position coach is Charlie Dickey, who was brought to Stillwater to fix a five-year problem.
A pillar of stability in 2006-12, the Oklahoma State offensive line has in recent years been defined by inconsistency and underachievement.
There’s a reason why Brandon Weeden’s jersey was clean. During his 26-game run as the Cowboys quarterback in 2010 and 2011, his offensive line allowed only 22 sacks.
OSU fans are sick of this statistic, but it underscores the difference between Then and Now: In 2009-12, the Cowboys gave up only 45 sacks. An average of only 11.3 per season. In 2014-18, the Cowboys gave up 162 sacks. An average of 32.4 per season.
In 2014, the lack of protection was astonishing. Oklahoma State quarterbacks were sacked 40 times. Pass-blocking was bad. Run-blocking wasn’t any better. The Cowboys averaged 3.5 yards per rush attempt.
After line coach Josh Henson moved to Texas A&M, Dickey was recruited by Gundy to end the revolving-door issues up front. In 2009-18, Dickey coached Bill Snyder’s Kansas State offensive linemen.
The 2013 season was Joe Wickline’s finale at Oklahoma State. After that, there were Bob Connelly (2014), Greg Adkins (2015-16) and Henson (2017-18).
The public debut of Dickey and new offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, when Gundy presides over an end-of-spring-practice exercise at Boone Pickens Stadium.
A lot can happen between now and late August, when OSU prepares for the opener against an Oregon State squad that last season was 2-10, but an educated guess on the current OSU line starters would have Bray at left tackle, senior Marcus Keyes at left guard, senior Johnny Wilson at center, junior Ry Schneider at right guard and junior Teven Jenkins at right tackle.
By preseason camp, Dylan Galloway, Tyrese Williams and Hunter Anthony could command consideration when Dickey formulates a first five. In five games last season, Galloway was the starter at left tackle.
In 2015 and 2016 (when UAB transfer Victor Salako started in every game) and 2017 (when Cal transfer Aaron Cochran was the 13-game starter), OSU had a veteran at left tackle. Last season, there were three different starters (Arlington Hambright for five games, Jenkins for three and Galloway for five).
OSU media-relations director Gavin Lang provides this information: Since Gundy became the head coach in 2005, only five Cowboys offensive linemen — David Washington, Russell Okung, Lane Taylor, Zach Crabtree and Keyes — have gotten as many as eight starts as a first-year freshman or redshirt freshman.
Bray strives to join that list. He actually was on the field for a few special-teams snaps last season, but his redshirt status was preserved. If he wants an OSU role model, he should attempt to emulate Okung.
As a rookie in 2006, Okung was at right tackle. In three subsequent seasons, he was at left tackle. At the end of his Cowboys career, Okung made 47 starts and was the sixth pick overall in the NFL draft.
Maybe Bray can be for Dickey what Cody Whitehair was for Dickey at K-State. As a redshirt freshman, Whitehair was trusted to make 12 starts for the Wildcats. Ultimately, Whitehair made 51 college starts and was an All-Big 12 selection. With the Chicago Bears, he has made 48 consecutive starts at center and is positioned for a lucrative contract extension.
A Charlie Dickey relationship was beneficial for Whitehair. A comparable opportunity is presented to Bray, who only a few months ago was blocking against Ponca City, Stillwater and Midwest City.
In his mother’s mind, it was only a few moments ago that Bryce was blocking for Bixby Blue.