With the 2022 college football season just around the corner, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are looking for redemption. The Cowboys were on the doorstep of the College Football Playoff after a stellar 11-1 regular season. With a win in the Big 12 Championship Game, Oklahoma State likely would have clinched its first CFP berth.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they fell just short against Baylor and missed out on the Big 12 title. Oklahoma State ended the season on a high note by beating Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, but the team had bigger aspirations. The Cowboys will be looking to right last year’s wrongs this season.

Oklahoma State’s road to the playoff won’t be easy. The Cowboys lost significant talent from its 2021 roster, especially on defense. To achieve their goals for the season, the Cowboys will need new players to step up as key contributors.

3. Mason Cobb

Of all the losses Oklahoma State suffered on defense, none are bigger than All-American linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. Now a Detroit Lion, Rodriguez was the anchor of the defense with 129 tackles, 14 for loss, on the season. He also excelled in other areas on defense with three sacks and four passes defended.

With Rodriguez now in the NFL, the Cowboys have a massive hole in the center of their defense. Cobb, the lone returning linebacker, is presumably set to take over, and he will have a big weight on his shoulders. The junior had just 11 tackles last season and was primarily a special teams player.