STILLWATER, Okla. —  It is no secret that Oklahoma State has loads of versatility up front on the defensive line, especially at the edge rusher position with guys like  Collin Oliver,  Tyler Lacy,  Brock Martin  and even  Trace Ford, as he returns to the field for the first time since the 2020 season. The Cowboys' defense will be built around those players this season, but the safeties are also interchangeable — just in a different way.

During fall camp, Oklahoma State is working its safeties at all three positions on the backend: ROVER, BANDIT and STRIKE. First-year defensive coordinator  Derek Mason  said after practice Tuesday that it is important to have that flexibility in case of injuries, or anything else that might occur throughout the season.

"To have that type of versatility on the backend, where guys can match coverage, guys can play on the roof, guys can fit in the box, just can blitz off the edge, that's what's needed," Mason said.

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Redshirt  Jason Taylor II is the most-experienced safety on the roster with 14 career starts and 41 games played at Oklahoma State. He typically plays the ROVER, but he too is moving around just like the others, according to Mason.

"That's what we're asking from  Kendal (Daniels), that's what we're asking from  (Sean Michael) Flanagan, that's what we're asking from [Thomas Harper]," Mason said. "You're going to see him blitzing off the edge, covering the slot, playing on the roof. That's pretty cool, and I think these guys have embraced that. They're older, they want the challenge, and so we're giving them the opportunity everyday."

Although Taylor is the only returning starter, several others do have experience. Harper, a fourth-year senior, has played in 35 games at Oklahoma State. Flanagan and  Kanion Williams, both redshirt seniors, have rotated in on defense throughout their careers, while making an impact on special teams. There is also a group of second- and third-year safeties that could make a jump this season — redshirt sophomore Nick Session, as well as redshirt freshmen  Ty Williams and  Lyrik Rawls.

Each of the safeties has the ability to lineup and play from different spots on the field, and that starts with how the Cowboys recruit. There are instances in which Oklahoma State will recruit defensive backs as "athletes" and determine where they fit best in the secondary, whether that is at cornerback or safety, when the arrive on campus or as they get deeper into their senior year of high school.

"Can guys step on the field, step between the white lines and play the game that's needed in the Big 12?" Mason said when talking about Oklahoma State's recruiting strategy on defense. "This place knows who it is and they recruit to the personality and skillset of the guys needed. And they never sacrifice that. I'm glad to be at a place that has a philosophy on what they want, what's needed and are unrelenting about going after that. So that's key for us."

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