Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State Cowboys will turn to redshirt freshman Hauss Hejny as its starting quarterback when the Cowboys open the season Thursday against UT Martin.
Hejny, a dual-threat with impressive burst and elusiveness, transferred from TCU after playing in four games last season—and doing enough to preserve his redshirt year. Though he didn’t attempt a pass in those appearances, he flashed in the ground game, including a 21‑yard carry against Cincinnati and 48 rushing yards from eight carries in total.
Hejny vs. Flores
Hejny has emerged atop a competitive preseason battle that included fellow redshirt freshman Zane Flores, a more traditional pocket passer. Flores, who missed last season due to injury and used a medical hardship waiver, has yet to see alive‑game action either—but remains a viable backup.
This quarterback decision comes as part of a sweeping — and much-needed — overhaul of Oklahoma State’s offense under first-year offensive coordinator Doug Meacham, who arrived alongside Hejny from TCU.
The Cowboys enter Year 21 under Mike Gundy with a fresh offensive staff, a torrent of transfer talent, and high hopes of a bounce-back season after going 0-9 in Big 12 play in 2024, in what was, by far, Gundy’s worst season as a head coach.
2023 QB Competition
Just because Hejny is the starter now, don’t put it past Mike Gundy to give Flores a shot early on. It was just two years ago that Gundy had a three-way quarterback battle between Alan Bowman, Gunnar Gundy and Garrett Rangel, that lasted through most of the month of September before eventually settling on Bowman. Bowman ended up leading the Cowboys to the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game, which they lost to the Texas Longhorns 49-21.
It seems very unlikely that will happen this year since both quarterbacks in the competition are young and need reps to get comfortable. Bowman was on his third program by the time he arrived in Stillwater, so the stop-and-go nature of his playing time early was potentially less bothersome. That won’t be the case with Hejny and Flores.
Oklahoma State opens up the season on Thursday night against UT Martin with kick off set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
