Oklahoma State opened fall football practice with a view of picking up the pace on offense.

The return of battle-tested quarterback Spencer Sander and more experience in the receiving corps will facilitate more up-tempo play.

“We always want to play fast, but we have to consider what situation we’re in,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy. “Last year we were playing freshmen wide outs and were just trying to get them lined up, so speed became a non-factor.

“Spencer (Sanders) can play fast. That’s the advantage we have with him. He’s become a magician with our offense over his number of years. Playing fast is the responsibility of the quarterback, so if we stay healthy, it gives us an opportunity.”

“Myself,  Jaden Bray, Bryson and Blaine Green and even Brennan Presley, we were all young last year,” said wide receiver John Paul Richardson. “Obviously, I think that is going to help us a lot this year. I think we have a great group of guys that know how to get open and play the game the right way. I’m really excited for us this year.”

Richardson is spending time with Sanders to help build cohesion on offense.

“He’s come so far as a leader,” Richardson said of Sanders. “He’s a great dude and I think everyone is gravitating toward him this season, and even the last part of last season. He’s stepped up a lot vocally and leading by example. I expect a great year out of him this year.”

Richardson wants to broaden his perspective.

“I’m just trying to learn the game more from a quarterback standpoint and grow mentally,” Richardson said of his goal this preseason. “That means going in and watching more film and getting with Spencer to find out what he’s looking at so I can look at that as well when I’m on the field. So overall, growing mentally as well as continuing to get bigger, faster and stronger.”

Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad is impressed with the receiving corps.

“They’re really good,” Muhammad said. “I feel like every single one of them have different attributes that can help me on Saturdays.”

Gundy has high hopes for his offensive line.

“The good news with those guys is they’ve all played, and we repaired them in the offseason,” Gundy said. “I’m not as concerned about them as I am developing some backups at certain positions because those guys, when they get in the flow, they should pick it up fast.”

OSU lost a lot of linemen from last season and it made practicing difficult in spring drills.

“We were definitely in a rough spot in the spring,” said offensive lineman Hunter Woodard. “We lost guys during the spring. We lost guys right after the season that were transferring. It was hard on us, but I think the bright side of it was the young guys got a lot of reps and they got to grow a lot. Now that we’ve got that new group in, a few more transfers, we’re looking really good as a group and we’re confident going forward.”

Woodard was injured and missed the spring drills.

” I definitely gained a different perspective on it,” he said. “Just having the script, being able to watch plays from the back and see it how a coach may see it. I think I have a bit better understanding of the plays now.”

Building chemistry is vital to good offensive line play.

“It’s big. Just getting those reps as a group, communicating as a group and having that front five,” Woodard said. “By the time the first game comes around, we barely need to talk during a game. As long as we have that consistent front healthy five, we’re just on the same page and we’re rolling.”

It’s a new year and a new team.

“We had some guys that departed and went off and are in the NFL now, but overall these young men understand winning,” Gundy said. “They understand commitment. They understand team. They understand discipline and toughness, and so over a period of years they learn what was passed down from the older guys and what’s instilled in them is the discipline and toughness, which happens throughout the summer.

“I’m excited every year because we have a new group of guys. For me, I’m excited about the group and them coming together. They have to create their own identity.”