Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy is pleased with the progress of the quarterbacks behind starter Spencer Sanders as the Cowboys prepare for Saturday’s spring game in Stillwater.

“I think they’re doing good,” Gundy said. “They’re learning. Our offense takes time for quarterbacks and the only way you learn it is to get in live drills. We put them in practice, and they make mistakes, they see it, they come up with a plan to fix it, and put that plan in place and I think those guys are doing a good job with that.”

Some have said that a football quarterback is the most important position in sports and one of the most difficult to master.

“It’s much more difficult to play quarterback at this level than it ever has been,” said Gundy, who starred at OSU as a quarterback. “The second thing is I think our defense is good at what they do and they create some confusion for our quarterbacks. So, not only do we see the results of that on game day, but we see the results of that in practice every day. Specifically, a young quarterback trying to learn how to play at this level.”

Different coaches have various goals for spring practice. What does Gundy look for?

“Competitiveness, guys willingness to allow themselves to be coached, to work hard and improve every day,” Gundy said. “Our systems are in place. We’re getting ready for the first game in September right now. So now we just continue to get quality reps, we compete, we play hard, stay with the basic fundamentals of football on both sides of the ball and ultimately come up with a package where you don’t beat yourself. Play hard and give yourself a chance.”

In the spring, some backup players like cornerback Jabbar Muhammed step into starting roles. Muhammed found it difficult to not always been on the field.

“Being a competitor, it has been tough,” Muhammed said.  I’ve been wanting to get more reps and get more plays, but I’ve had dogs in front of me my whole time here. Right now, I’m embracing the moment and my time and ready to go out there and fight.”

Playing in the Fiesta Bowl in the win over Notre Dame last season was a confidence builder.

“It was a big moment stepping up on that stage and competing,” Muhammed said.  It helped me a lot. Now, nothing will excite me or rattle me because there’s not too big of a crowd. That was a big stage.”

He and fellow cornerback Korie Black have learned to work well together.

“Our chemistry is top notch,” Muhammed said.”Just being together all the time, I know him like the back of my hand and he knows me like the back of his hand. It will help us a lot on the field.”

Other players have made position changes to fill in the gaps left by graduation and transfers. Offensive lineman Preston Wilson has moved to center.

“Coach Dickey approached me at the end of the offseason and asked, my opinion on center and if I could get that down,” Wilson said. “I told him absolutely. It’s something I’m interested in and something that can benefit the team in. I’m excited to step up in that leadership role.”

There is a special level of pressure in performing as a center.

“I like to be able to have a leadership role and be able to know there is a little bit of pressure on your back and being able to make calls and identify fronts,” Wilson said. “If a guy walks up last second, then you have to change your whole call and if you get it right then it works out for the whole team, but if you don’t then it gets pinpointed down on you.

“It’s a little bit of pressure, but it’s a good feeling and I love being able to do that.”

Wilson went to school on former centers Danny Godleske, Johnny Wilson and Ry Schneider.

“When I first got here, they had recruited me to play center, so I got the opportunity to see a lot of great centers come through here and pick up tips from them,” Wilson said. “Coach Dickey is awesome and coach (Brayden) Kearsley came in and I’ve learned a lot from them. It’s been an easy transition overall.”

OSU had one of the best defensive teams in the country last season and with new Defensive Coordinator Derek Mason, there will be pressure to live up to that standard.

“I feel like it’s a lot on my shoulders and stuff like that,” said linebacker Mason Cobb.  “I understand that I was behind good guys and I was glad they come back so I could learn from them and take things from them during the season, just kind of just learning with them. I feel like I’ve come into a time where the game is slowing down for me, so I feel like I’m very comfortable on the field making plays and stuff.”

As players gain more experience, the game seems to slow down for them.

“Really, it’s like, just understanding the defense and being able to see keys before the play happens, so you’re not really second-guessing anything,” Cobb said. “It’s almost natural. That just comes with more reps, just more reps in practice will help you.”

Mason has made the transition smooth.

“He’s a great dude,” Cobb said. “He’s a people person, players first kind of guy. From walk-ons to starters, he coaches everybody the same.”

Braydon Johnson is back after an injury cut short his season last year.

“For me, it was super important just to get back and to lead these guys,” Johnson said. “I’m the oldest one in the group, so I’ve got to be the motivator. We’ve got to come out every day with the mentality like we’re going to take the day. It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday. It doesn’t matter what happens tomorrow. Just lock in on today and get the job done.”

He had a chance to enter the transfer portal but he chose to stay.

“I like OSU and I knew this was the spot for me,” Johnson said. “I knew I was going to be able to step into that leadership role …, so I talked with my coach and we were basically on the same page, that I was just going to work out, sharpen my skills and come back and be in that role.

“Go every day, take it day by day and take the day every day.”

The spring football finale is April 23.