Braden Cassity nearly went to Wisconsin but is 'so happy' he chose Oklahoma State football

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Five years ago, Braden Cassity got cheese curds and he watched an entire stadium go crazy to House of Pain’s “Jump Around.”

Those were the primary highlights of an unofficial visit he took to Wisconsin his senior year of high school.

“That was so cool,” Cassity said.

Cassity — then a star defensive lineman for Westlake (Texas) High — was down to just two schools in his recruitment. The Badgers had offered a grayshirt opportunity. Oklahoma State offered a full scholarship.

Though his close friend Nakia Watson would choose the Badgers on that trip, Cassity went with the Cowboys.

“I fell on OSU and I’m so happy I did,” Cassity said.

Life has come full circle for Cassity.

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Just days after the Cowboys’ veteran tight end announced his return for a super-senior season, he will take the field against Wisconsin at 9:15 p.m. CT Tuesday in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field.

Watson is no longer in the program — he’s at Washington State — but Cassity can’t help but think about his connection to the Badgers.

“It is crazy,” Cassity said. “He’s not there anymore, but I wish he was. We always talked about what if we play and things like that.”

Cassity, who was voted a team captain recently, has had quite his own journey since choosing OSU.

He arrived as a defensive lineman. Last year, he converted to tight end. He’s become a valuable blocker who has improved as a pass catcher.

And with a trademark style of a mullet — a la Mike Gundy — and a handlebar mustache, his personality has shown more and more.

“I have no idea what I’m doing,” Cassity said about his hair.

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The mustache is likely to go after the season. The hair is staying, though.

And so is Cassity.

He made that clear with his own 18-second video posted to his Twitter page announcing his return for a super-senior season.

Cassity’s head was imposed over the face of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator as Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” played in the background.

Then Schwarzenegger’s voice stood out as he said his famous line from the science fiction classic — “I’ll be back.”

“I don’t like to brag on myself,” Cassity said. “I don’t feel like I’m a big enough player to make like a big long video or paragraph or anything like that. So, I said, ‘OK, well, I’m definitely coming back now. I'll just make a fun little Twitter video, something everyone will like.’”

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Filling the void

Former OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders became a master of turning disaster into a positive for the Cowboys.

“He bailed us out a lot,” OSU sophomore receiver John Paul Richardson said.

Sanders is in the transfer portal. There is no help coming from him.

And there is a leadership void the Cowboys are looking to solve on the field. Where that comes from ultimately remains to be seen.

Richardson — the youngest of the six captains voted by the team — has some thoughts, though.

“I’d say guys like myself and Cassity and even Garret (Rangel),” Richardson said. “Even Garret being a young guy, at the end of the day, he’s the quarterback and the guys look to him. We respect him, even though he’s young.

“I think that comes from the work he’s put in just in the weight room and in the film room and the way he carries himself. I think guys respect that, understand and see that.”

Gundy said he hadn’t put too much thought into replacing Sanders’ leadership.

“We were in such a routine that it almost takes care of itself,” Gundy said. “Now, those guys need to step up and being able to lead during the game. It’ll be interesting to watch that side of it. But I think they’ll do fine.”

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Portal losses open up opportunities for Lamont Bishop, others

With the Cowboys’ starting lineup depleted due to opt outs and the transfer portal, that means more opportunities for young players.

Along with Sanders leaving, the Cowboys will be without 11 other transferring scholarship players, including leading-tackler Mason Cobb, starting running back Dominic Richardson and starting cornerback Jabbar Muhammad.

That’s leading to more time for younger players like linebacker Lamont Bishop.

“He’s getting a lot of reps,” Gundy said. “He’s practiced well. He’s another guy that’s been enthusiastic. He’s running around and practiced well.”

Gundy also said Nick Martin will see time on the field along with Bishop.

Gundy also said Cam Smith will primarily fill in for Muhammad.

The Cowboys also plan to evenly distribute carries for their trio of running backs Ollie Gordon, Jaden Nixon and Deondre Jackson.

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Gundy: Redshirt rule waiver 'a good move'

Gundy believes the NCAA did the correct thing to pass a waiver that does not count bowl games toward a player’s eligibility to redshirt.

Now, he expects the NCAA to go a step beyond the rule.

“Eventually they’re going to have to go to five years of eligibility because of all the movement in the portal,” Gundy said. “It’s a big picture.

“It was a good move on their part.”

Gundy said the NCAA should also allow teams to use a full roster during fall camp to avoid wear and tear.

But for now, he’s happy with the change to offset the losses at this point in the season.

For the Cowboys, they benefit with two players.

True freshmen corners Cameron Epps and D.J. McKinney each played four games this season, the normal limit to maintain a redshirt. Now, they’ll be able to play Tuesday and maintain their extra year of eligibility.

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Richardson’s own mud bowl

The Cowboys will have a unique bowl experience playing in a Major League Baseball stadium.

But Richardson has almost been there and done that.

His little league super bowl in the Houston area was played at Sugar Land Skeeters Stadium — a minor league park — in Sugar Land, Texas.

The conditions that day will be quite different from Chase Field, which has a retractable roof that will be closed.

“It was raining cats and dogs,” Richardson said. “So, the infield was all muddy. We ended up calling it the ‘Mud Bowl.’

“It’ll probably be a little bit nicer than the one I played at. I’m excited.”

Jacob Unruh covers college sports for The Oklahoman. You can send your story ideas to him at junruh@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: Why Braden Cassity chose OSU over Wisconsin