Taylor Uses Southern Scuffle as Development Opportunity — OSU backups gain valuable experience in Chattanooga

Ramirez's status solidified at 133 as Figueroa struggles; McComas, Sheets show potential for future

Daniel Allen

Jan 05, 2026 - 3 min read

Oklahoma State head coach David Taylor watches from the sideline during the National Duals Invitational on Nov. 16, 2025, in Tulsa. Taylor, in his second season leading the Cowboys, has prioritized development opportunities for OSU's depth wrestlers throughout the 2024-25 campaign. – Photo by Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Taylor Uses Southern Scuffle as Development Opportunity — OSU backups gain valuable experience in Chattanooga — Oklahoma State head coach David Taylor watches from the sideline during the National Duals Invitational on Nov. 16, 2025, in Tulsa. Taylor, in his second season leading the Cowboys, has prioritized development opportunities for OSU's depth wrestlers throughout the 2024-25 campaign. – Photo by Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

David Taylor’s goal wasn’t for Oklahoma State to win the Southern Scuffle.

But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In late November, Taylor, the Cowboys’ second-year coach, registered his team for the Cougar Class at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville a week in advance. His goal, he said, was prospect development and generating reps for depth pieces within the roster. OSU didn’t log a top-five finish, but various wrestlers garnered live reps for the first time, which Taylor retrospectively said he deemed “vital.”

This story is free with a quick signup

Sign up free for newsletters and full archive access — upgrade anytime for priority in-depth reporting, exclusive behind-the-news insights, subscriber-only commenting, and more.

Already a member? Sign in