New energy ignites Oklahoma State Football spring practices, as the Cowboys are building momentum with fresh faces and a revitalized approach under Coach Eric Morris
This week, The Jones Report was live from the Big 12 Championship in Kansas City, featuring Sooners Roundtable publisher Tyler Jones and OkState Roundtable editor Thomas Bridges.
The hosts delivered their trademark unfiltered analysis on the latest with the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys, blending the buzz of the ongoing Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament (March 10-14 at T-Mobile Center) with key offseason football updates as spring practices officially began.
The episode led with football, where excitement is building rapidly for both programs. For Brent Venables' Sooners, fresh off a 10-3 record in 2025, a strong second season in the SEC with a 6-2 conference mark, and a College Football Playoff appearance, the spotlight shone brightly on the program's explosive 2027 recruiting class.
Ranked No. 1 nationally by every major service (including 247Sports Composite), the class surged even higher following Oklahoma's "Future Freaks" junior day event in Norman over the weekend. The Sooners secured five major commitments during the event, turning what was already a stacked group into a historic haul loaded with elite talent, positional balance, and national star power.
Key additions from the weekend included four-star quarterback Jamison Roberts (a dynamic dual-threat from Saraland, Alabama, long pursued by OC Ben Arbuckle), four-star tight end Seneca Driver (the No. 1 TE in the class per Rivals, a 6-6 mismatch weapon now under new TE coach Jason Witten), four-star safety Jaylen Scott (a versatile defender who can play multiple spots), four-star offensive lineman Tyson Ross (an interior prospect with upside), and four-star athlete Greydon Howell (an in-state talent from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, projected for skill positions like wide receiver or slot).
These joined earlier top pledges such as five-star OT Cooper Hackett (Fort Gibson, OK), five-star OT Kaeden Penny (Bixby, OK), five-star linebacker Cooper Witten (Argyle, TX, son of Jason Witten), and others, pushing the class to 19 commits with multiple top-100 prospects.
Tyler Jones made a strong case that the current momentum, internal optimism, and fan/program buy-in exceed even the highs of the Lincoln Riley era, evoking the electric atmosphere of the Bob Stoops years.
Across the state in Stillwater, Thomas Bridges reported encouraging early vibes for the Oklahoma State Cowboys under new head coach Eric Morris. After a transitional period, Morris has prioritized restoring normalcy and a true Power Four feel through foundational efforts.
Bridges pointed to key "little things" like bringing back a traditional spring game (set for April 18 at Boone Pickens Stadium) to foster team chemistry and fan connection. Spring practice opened March 9 at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center, with the Cowboys practicing in helmets, jerseys, and shorts—focusing on development amid significant roster turnover (over 70 new players).
Early reports highlighted progress at quarterback, where transfer Drew Mestemaker (from North Texas, where he led the nation in passing yards in 2025) has impressed in the opening sessions. ESPN's Bill Connelly recently ranked Mestemaker as the No. 7 quarterback nationally among Power 4 teams heading into 2026, and the top in the Big 12, praising his poise, experience, and fit in Morris's system, suggesting the Cowboys could field a high-powered, dynamic offense capable of surprising conference foes.
While football dominated the front half, the show included basketball coverage from the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. KCTV5 sports reporter Neal Jones joined for his on-the-ground insights, breaking down key matchups, standout performances, and the tournament's high-stakes energy as teams battled for seeding and NCAA implications.
Neal also offered candid takes on the Oklahoma Sooners' basketball program under Porter Moser, discussing the coach's future amid a season of challenges and adjustments in the new SEC landscape. He weighed in on what OU hoops needs—roster tweaks via the transfer portal, defensive consistency, building momentum from late-season wins, and strategic shifts—to get back on track and compete consistently in a tough conference.
This episode of The Jones Report delivered live event vibes, honest evaluations of coaching trajectories and program needs, and forward-looking optimism for Sooner and Cowboy football.
From recruiting dominance and spring ball buzz to tournament analysis, it captured why there's so much to be excited about right now in Oklahoma athletics.
Catch the full episode now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.
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