Cowboys' Freshmen KD Jones and Braeden Presley Impress Coaches in Spring Practices

New Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris kept the in-state standouts in the fold after a tumultuous 2025 recruiting cycle.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:34am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in orange and black hues depicting the motion and energy of a football game or practice, with no identifiable players or logos.The fresh faces of Oklahoma State's future take the field, their talents deconstructed into a cubist mosaic.Bixby Today

Oklahoma State's new football coaching staff is high on a pair of in-state freshmen who enrolled early - running back KD Jones from Jenks and safety Braeden Presley from Bixby. Running backs coach Patrick Cobbs and safeties coach Jordan Malone provided updates on the young players' progress through spring practices, noting their talent but also the challenges of adjusting to the college game.

Why it matters

Keeping top in-state talent like Jones and Presley was crucial for new coach Eric Morris as he looked to rebuild the Cowboys' roster after a difficult 2025 recruiting cycle. Their early enrollment and strong starts in spring ball suggest the new staff has a pair of promising young players to build around.

The details

Jones, a running back, and Presley, a safety, both left high school a semester early to join the Cowboys this spring. Cobbs, who knew Jones' father from their high school days, was able to bring the running back back into the fold after he initially decommitted. Malone noted the big adjustment Presley, a standout two-way player at Bixby, is facing in transitioning to the college game, where "if one person moves, there might be seven things that change in that defense." Both freshmen are expected to contribute this fall, with Jones providing depth behind star running back Caleb Hawkins.

  • KD Jones and Braeden Presley enrolled early and are going through their first set of college practices this spring.
  • The Cowboys' 2025 recruiting class started to fall apart last season following Mike Gundy's dismissal.

The players

KD Jones

A running back from Jenks, Oklahoma who initially decommitted from Oklahoma State but was brought back by new running backs coach Patrick Cobbs, who knew Jones' father from their high school days.

Braeden Presley

A safety from Bixby, Oklahoma who was able to stay committed to Oklahoma State through the coaching change. Safeties coach Jordan Malone noted the big adjustment Presley is facing in transitioning from his standout high school career to the college game.

Eric Morris

The new head coach at Oklahoma State, who was able to keep Presley committed and bring Jones back into the fold after the 2025 recruiting class started to fall apart.

Patrick Cobbs

The Oklahoma State running backs coach, who was familiar with KD Jones and his family from their high school days.

Jordan Malone

The Oklahoma State safeties coach, who is working with Braeden Presley on adjusting to the college game.

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What they’re saying

“KD, being a young kid, I've seen that kid when he was a sophomore playing ball. So, I was familiar with him. I actually all-stated out of high school with his dad, so I had a long relationship with him. Just being around and getting to reach out to other Oklahoma coaches.”

— Patrick Cobbs, Oklahoma State Running Backs Coach

“He's coming to the point where he knows that he's not at prom right now. With any freshman, he's supposed to be in social studies class and going to prom and those things, and he's here working and getting better. So, it's changing from learning to practice, learning the language. In high school a lot of times, if one thing moves, it might change for one or two people. In college, if one person moves, there might be seven things that change in that defense.”

— Jordan Malone, Oklahoma State Safeties Coach

What’s next

Both Jones and Presley will look to continue their strong starts and earn playing time in Oklahoma State's fall camp as the Cowboys prepare for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The ability of new coach Eric Morris to keep top in-state talents like Jones and Presley committed despite the 2025 recruiting turmoil suggests he has a strong foundation to build upon as he looks to return Oklahoma State to prominence in the Big 12.