If Oklahoma State winds up in the new, 12-team College Football Playoff this season, their defense will be a big reason why.
The type of talent the Cowboys have on that side of the ball was on full display with the release of the Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list on July 30, with two Oklahoma State linebackers making the cut with Nick Martin and Collin Oliver.
From the FWAA: “As a list by conference, beyond the SEC and Big Ten are a dozen players from the Big 12. Oklahoma State’s premier linebacking pair of Nick Martin and Collin Oliver are on the list — Martin was 15th nationally in total tackles.”
Martin led Oklahoma State with 140 tackles to go with 6.0 sacks and 2 interceptions in 2023. Oliver is one of the top edge rusher prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft and tied Martin with 6.0 sacks last season.
Nick Martin had 17 tackles against K-State last year. Think about that for a second! Dude is HIM! I shorted him one in the Highlight show. #GoPokes #OkState pic.twitter.com/eC7tFAIN0e
— OState Daily (@Ostate_Daily) August 1, 2024
