STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State Cowboys are gearing up for the 2026 football season, and one of the most intriguing storylines is the competition at the wide receiver position. The depth chart features an interesting line: "Miles Coleman or Wyatt Young." Both players transferred from North Texas during the offseason, joining quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who also made the switch.
Last season, Wyatt Young had an impressive run at North Texas, leading the team with 70 receptions, 1,264 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. Coleman, on the other hand, finished third on the team with 47 catches for 550 yards and two touchdowns. Despite Young's accolades and being the only Cowboy on the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list, assumptions have been made about him being the top receiver for OSU.
Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, "Yeah, and you know, there's a whole story behind the story, I think." This sentiment reflects the unexpected dynamics that can arise in competitive sports, especially when new players join a team.
At just 5-foot-6 and 158 pounds, Coleman has spent his career defying the odds associated with his size. He has been the smallest player on the field since he and Mestemaker played flag football together at the age of five in Central Texas. Mestemaker expressed confidence in Coleman’s abilities, saying, "He’s been small his whole life, and you know that’s never stopped him. So to watch him go out there and perform like he has so far, I’m excited to see him play this season."
Last year, Coleman started for North Texas but faced challenges when an injury sidelined him for critical games. During his absence, Young capitalized on the opportunity, racking up 292 receiving yards and four touchdowns in two games. Coach Morris noted, "Miles got a little banged up, you know, at one point in the season, and I think Wyatt took advantage of his opportunity. Just like I talked about, he went out there and performed at a really high level, and was rewarded for it." This speaks to the competitive nature of college football, where opportunities can shift quickly.
Despite their competitive roles, Coleman and Young maintain a positive relationship, bolstered by their friendship off the field. Coach Morris emphasized the importance of camaraderie in the locker room, stating, "I trust both of them. You know, and so you know we’ll put them on some type of rotation where hopefully we keep them both fresh and firing on all cylinders." With a season opener against Tulsa looming, the Cowboys are expected to utilize a rotation of receivers to maintain an up-tempo offense.
Coleman’s unique playing style sets him apart from Young, who is significantly taller and heavier. Coleman leverages his speed and agility, often finding ways to evade taller defenders. He remarked, "Pretty much everyone I go against is bigger than me, but I think I’m faster, quicker than everyone. I use it to my advantage. Taller DBs I can get under them, reducing my shoulder, just finding different ways to get open." His determination and strategic approach to the game highlight his potential impact on the Cowboys' offense.
As Oklahoma State prepares for their season opener against Tulsa, where they are favored by 13.5 points, the anticipation around Coleman and Young is palpable. The Cowboys' offense, which struggled to score more than 27 points in games last season, looks to these new additions to revitalize their scoring potential. Coleman expressed optimism, stating, "The sky is the limit for this offense. It starts at the quarterback. I think we got the best quarterback in the nation, no doubt. Got the best running back and then our receiving room is just crazy stacked. We got a lot of depth." With such high expectations, both Coleman and Young have the opportunity to prove their worth in a competitive college football landscape.
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