Oklahoma State's Offense Has the Hype. What About the Defense?

Most of the offseason attention surrounding Oklahoma State has focused on the offense.

It's easy to understand why.

Drew Mestemaker led the country in passing yards.

Caleb Hawkins led the country in rushing touchdowns.

Wyatt Young emerged as one of college football's most productive receivers.

Eric Morris built one of the nation's best offenses at North Texas, but Oklahoma State won't complete its turnaround with offense alone.

That's why two of the Cowboys I'm most interested in hearing from at Big 12 Media Days are Jaleel Johnson and Ethan Wesloski.

Johnson and Wesloski represent two completely different parts of Oklahoma State's rebuild.

Johnson is the holdover.

Wesloski is the newcomer.

Of the four players Morris is bringing to Big 12 Media Days, Johnson is the only one who didn't play for him at North Texas last season.

That makes Johnson's perspective incredibly valuable.

He's seen what Oklahoma State looked like before Morris arrived.

He's lived through the transition.

Now he's one of the players being trusted to represent the program on one of the Big 12's biggest preseason stages.

I want to hear Johnson explain what's actually different.

Not the generic answers about energy or excitement.

What has changed inside the building?

How are practices different?

How has the defensive mentality changed?

After Oklahoma State's struggles last season, where does Johnson believe the defense has made its biggest improvement?

Then there's Wesloski.

He already knows the new system.

The linebacker followed Morris from North Texas after earning Second Team All-American Conference honors. He was one of the Mean Green's most productive defenders, finishing 2025 with more than 100 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

Wesloski gives Oklahoma State something every rebuilt defense needs.

Experience.

I want to know whether he's also becoming the leader of this unit.

How does a player who just arrived in Stillwater become a voice in a locker room filled with newcomers?

What has he learned about Johnson and the returning Cowboys?

How quickly has defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity been able to establish an identity?

Those questions matter because the offense is already carrying massive expectations.

If Mestemaker and Hawkins produce anywhere close to the level they did at North Texas, Oklahoma State should score points.

Can the defense get off the field?

Can the Cowboys create pressure?

Can they force turnovers?

Can they give Morris' offense extra possessions?

Wesloski was part of a North Texas defense that tied for fifth nationally in takeaways last season, while Johnson provides a direct connection to Oklahoma State's previous locker room.

Together, they may provide the best perspective on what this defense is trying to become.

We've spent the entire offseason talking about Oklahoma State's offense.

At Big 12 Media Days, I want Johnson and Wesloski to tell us why we should start talking about the defense.