Mike Gundy Extremely Optimistic After First Oklahoma State Spring Practice

It's been awhile since we have had consistent spring football news. The COVID-19 pandemic claimed that part of the offseason in 2020, but now we are finally starting to get back to normal. Oklahoma State is one of several teams that recently got spring practice underway.

Last year, the team had its most successful season since 2017, and Coach Mike Gundy knows that a few guys need to be replaced, especially on offense.

They include:

This dynamic duo combined for 7,267 yards and 63 touchdowns over the last three seasons. In other words, it won't be easy to replace them. But Gundy is optimistic about the Cowboys after one spring practice.

"This was, by far, the cleanest first spring practice that I’ve had in my 17 years as a head coach because we had so many days to prepare for this. And it looked really clean, and players were able to execute and get lined up and assignments and technique and finish," Gundy said, via The O'Colly. "So, I was pleased. Obviously, tomorrow we’ll look at all the tape, but I was pleased. The tempo of practice, the attitude, and for the most part of it, it looked like everybody was where they were supposed to be on each play."

That's great news for Oklahoma State. You normally don't see that sort of cohesiveness on the first day. By the time spring ball rolls around, players haven't been on a football field together for a couple months, so there's normally some rust to knock off.

If the Cowboys want to remain a contender in the Big 12, quarterback Spencer Sanders will need to continue elevating his play.

"This year, his development in the throwing game, now that he’s learned to control his emotions will be important through spring and August, because we all know that he can pull it down or keep it and run and take off and score and can make big plays," Gundy said. "As he now learns to understand what to do with the football and take what the defense gives him, it’s just going to give him a chance to become a better player at this level."

An experienced offensive line and a quarterback oozing with potential should keep Oklahoma State's offense rolling. The defense, however, will be a bit uncertain, especially after losing linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga to the NFL draft.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.