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Oklahoma State football's Mike Gundy sees promise in new fullback, son of 'Pioneer Woman'

scott wright, the oklahoman
·3 min read

STILLWATER — Asked what qualities he likes about transfer fullback Bryce Drummond, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy immediately took the conversation away from football.

“Good cook. A really good cook,” Gundy said with an ornery grin.

Drummond, the former Pawhuska High School quarterback who transferred from North Texas in the spring, is the son of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond of Food Network fame.

Bryce signed with North Texas as a quarterback and briefly moved to linebacker before transferring last winter, joining the Cowboys as a walk-on. He settled in as a tight end for spring practice, but has since moved to fullback.

At 6-foot-3, and 219 pounds, Drummond is learning a new position, but seems to be settling in well.

Over the past several years, tight ends and fullbacks at OSU have been grouped together and termed Cowboy backs. But in the spring, Gundy and his staff split the group back into the two more common positions.

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Oklahoma State fullback Bryce Drummond (48) is learning a new position after transferring from North Texas, where he initially signed as a quarterback.
Oklahoma State fullback Bryce Drummond (48) is learning a new position after transferring from North Texas, where he initially signed as a quarterback.

With changes being made to the run schemes OSU will use this fall, having more traditional tight ends with better size to help blocking on the line will aid the running backs.

That’s why OSU brought in transfers like Ian Edenfield and Josiah Johnson to join returning backup Quinton Stewart and provide more physical play on the edge of the offensive line.

Drummond joins players like Braden Cassity and Jake Schultz in the fullback group, who will get more action now that the Cowboys are also planning to have the quarterback under center more frequently.

“It has to have helped our running game,” Gundy said. “I mean, I’m hanging my hat on it. It has to have helped our running game. If not, then it’s just not gonna be as fun.”

Bryce Drummond’s cooking isn’t the only quality that stood out to his new coach.

Gundy brought several players to his ranch over the summer, giving them a variety of chores to handle.

“It’s some pretty hard labor,” Gundy said. “It was interesting with him. Didn’t bother him at all. Everybody else was like, ‘Oh, I don’t wanna do this. It’s hot, man.’ And he just worked. Never said a word. That demeanor and work ethic he has, I think will translate into football.

“He needs time to grow, get used to the speed of the game, develop his body. But he’s got ability and he has a former quarterback’s thought process in the game.”

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Oklahoma State tight end/fullback depth chart

Name, Class, Ht., Wt., Hometown (Previous school)

Tight end

  • Josiah Johnson, RSr.*, 6-5, 235, Jacksonville, Fla. (UMass)

  • Quinton Stewart, RJr., 6-2, 255, Salina, Kansas (Central)

  • Ian Edenfield, RSr.*, 6-5, 272, Uniontown, Pa. (Cal-Pennsylvania)

  • Tabry Shettron, RFr., 6-4, 231, Edmond (Santa Fe)

Fullback

  • Braden Cassity, RSr.*, 6-2, 241, Austin, Texas (Westlake)

  • Jake Schultz, RSr., 6-3, 241, Prague

  • Bryce Drummond, RSo., 6-3, 219, Pawhuska (North Texas)

  • Luke McEndoo, RSo., 6-1, 256, Stillwater

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: Mike Gundy sees promise in FB Bryce Drummond