Oklahoma State's safeties may not get the headlines entering fall camp, but they could become the backbone of the Cowboys' defense. Experience is already there—now it's about creating turnovers, limiting big plays and proving this group can be the difference-maker in 2026.
When Oklahoma State fans discuss the Cowboys' defense entering fall camp, most of the attention naturally goes to the defensive line or the linebackers.
Those groups often grab the headlines because they generate sacks and stop the run.
However, I think the most important position on this defense might be the one receiving the least attention.
The safeties.
If this group develops the way Oklahoma State believes it can, it won't just be a solid position room—it could become the backbone of the entire defense.
Experience Is Already in Place
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is experience.
Unlike some position groups that are still trying to identify starters, Oklahoma State has players in the secondary who have already played meaningful college football. They've seen live action, understand the speed of the game and know what's expected at the Power Four level.
That's important because safeties do far more than make tackles.
They're responsible for getting everyone lined up before the snap, communicating coverages and making sure the defense is operating as one unit.
A talented secondary is valuable.
A secondary that communicates is dangerous.
The Next Step Is Becoming Playmakers
Being reliable is one thing.
Changing games is another.
The Cowboys don't just need safeties who avoid mistakes—they need players who create them.
Can this group force more turnovers?
Can they erase explosive plays before they happen?
Can someone emerge as the leader offenses have to account for every Saturday?
Those are the questions that will determine whether this room is simply good or one of the best position groups on the roster.
Depth Will Be Tested
Every college football season turns into an endurance test.
Rarely does a team make it through an entire year without injuries.
That's why depth matters just as much as star power.
The starters may already be capable of leading the defense, but fall camp is about identifying who can step into meaningful snaps if they're needed.
Championship-caliber defenses don't rely on five or six defensive backs.
They rely on eight or nine players who can all be trusted when their number is called.
Finding those answers in August could pay dividends in November.
This Position Can Change the Entire Defense
Eric Morris' offense is going to score points.
That isn't where most of the concern lies entering the season.
The biggest question is whether the defense can consistently get off the field.
Safeties often determine that.
One missed tackle can become a 70-yard touchdown.
One blown coverage can erase an otherwise dominant defensive performance.
On the flip side, one interception or perfectly timed pass breakup can completely swing momentum.
The margin between winning and losing in the Big 12 is incredibly thin.
That's why consistent safety play matters more than fans sometimes realize.
Fall Camp Is About Finding Confidence
This group doesn't have to prove everything before Week 1.
It simply has to continue building chemistry and confidence.
Communication improves with repetition.
Trust grows through practice.
The more comfortable this group becomes together, the faster the entire defense can play.
That's exactly what Oklahoma State needs entering a season with renewed expectations.
Final Thoughts
The Cowboys don't need their safeties to be the flashiest players on the field.
They simply need them to be dependable.
If this group limits explosive plays, communicates effectively and creates a handful of game-changing turnovers, it could quietly become the biggest reason Oklahoma State's defense takes a major step forward this season.
The best defenses aren't always built around the biggest stars.
Sometimes they're built around the players who make sure everyone else is in the right place—and never let the big play happen.
