Greg McElroy Thinks Oklahoma State Will Bounce Back—Sort Of

Oklahoma State is trending toward a long-overdue rebound in 2025, according to ESPN analyst Greg McElroy.

McElroy placed the Cowboys in his Big 12 “Bowl‑Bound” tier on the “Always College Football” podcast, an encouraging label after a disappointing season. He noted the program went through a massive overhaul, with nearly 70 roster moves and 40 additions via the transfer portal. That flurry of changes reflects serious urgency across Stillwater.

The coaching changes bolstered the talk as McElroy praised the hiring of Todd Grantham as defensive coordinator, pointing to his experience at Florida, Georgia, in the NFL, and at Alabama. On offense, Doug Meacham arrives with an aggressive, air‑raid approach meant to challenge defenses in new ways. McElroy said he likes both hires but emphasized that how the new pieces fit together remains a major unknown.

The quarterback position remains a question, too. McElroy mentioned that true redshirt freshman Zane Flores could be in the mix, but appears to lean toward transfer Hauss Hejny from TCU as the likely starter, at least for now. That uncertainty makes it hard to forecast high ceiling results.

Despite the open questions, McElroy said he still expects the Cowboys to reach the postseason. He believes the roster has enough talent to contend for at least six wins, marking a significant step forward from last season’s struggles. But he stopped short of calling them a top-tier contender, citing the time needed for cohesion amid the overhaul.

In a conference known for parity and quick turnarounds, Oklahoma State may be building back in phases. The foundation seems solid. Long-term outcomes will depend on whether those pieces enhance consistency or just change the names on the roster.