Oklahoma State faces a rebuild after 1-11 season, with new coach Eric Morris banking on 88 newcomers

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — 2025 record: 1-11

The Cowboys come with plenty of question marks but could qualify for a bowl game if first-year coach Eric Morris and his staff can get 88 newcomers — including 21 of his former players — to gel and two highly touted transfers can reprise breakout performances from 2025.

RB Caleb Hawkins is back in his home state after joining QB Drew Mestemaker in the move from North Texas, where they played for Morris. Hawkins led the FBS with 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns rushing last year, and set an FBS record for most total TDs by a freshman (29). Mestemaker, who was also a freshman, had an FBS-best 4,379 yards passing. WR Wyatt Young, Mestermaker's primary target, had 70 receptions for 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Mean Green led the nation in total offense and scoring last season on the way to 11 wins before Morris was hired to replace Mike Gundy, the longtime Cowboys coach who was fired last September.

Oklahoma State has lost 18 of 19 games and hasn’t won a Big 12 Conference game since Nov. 25, 2023. Only 25 players return for the Cowboys, who didn't play much defense the past two seasons. That should change with the addition of former North Texas coordinator Skyler Cassity and several former players. Under Cassity the Mean Green went from 127th in total defense in 2024 to 77th last season.

Morris' up-tempo offense will spread the ball around and has the talent in Mestemaker, Hawkins and Young to score early and often. Illinois transfer Justin Bowick, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver, provides a big target for his quarterback while 5-foot-6 wideout Miles Coleman, a North Texas transfer who caught 46 passes for 536 yards and three scores last season, brings elite speed.

Building defensive chemistry will be a priority. Eight players, including LB Ethan Wesloski —the brother of Oklahoma pitcher Jason Wesloski — played for Cassity at North Texas. DT Sadiq Clements, DE Keviyan Huddleston, and S Evan Jackson are among the others expected to play significant roles for the Cowboys. In the mix are Florida State transfer DE James Williams, Penn State transfer DT Enai White, and Texas Tech transfer CB Maurion Horn.

The offensive line is unproven, with Oklahoma transfer Jacob Sexton expected to start at left tackle and Kansas transfer Tyler Mercer expected to get the nod at center.

QB Drew Mestemaker (transfer from North Texas), RB Caleb Hawkins (transfer from North Texas); WR Wyatt Young (transfer from North Texas), OL Jacob Sexton (transfer from Oklahoma); DE James Williams (transfer from Florida State).

QB Hauss Hejny (transferred to Colorado State, WR Gavin Freeman (transferred to Baylor), RB Rodney Fields (transferred to Kansas State), DE Wendell Gregory (Kansas State), TE Josh Ford (transferred to Alabama).

vs. No. 2 Oregon (Sept. 12), at No. 23 Houston (Oct. 17), vs. No. 12 Texas Tech (Nov. 14).

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here . Visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here.