Oklahoma State DT Vili Leveni to miss 2015 season
Oklahoma State will play the 2015 season without a projected starter on its defensive line.
Vili Leveni, a redshirt sophomore defensive tackle, will miss the season after having Achilles surgery, Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy said at Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday.
“It’s always difficult when you have a player that’s injured, just because they put so much hard work and time into getting prepared for the season,” Gundy said, per ESPN.com. “As a coach, it’s one of the most difficult things to swallow. You have a young man that’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and he’s put a lot of time in, and he’s come to a bump in the road. Vili will be back with us at some point, and we’re looking forward to getting him back.”
The Cowboys return Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Emmanuel Ogbah and three-year starter Jimmy Bean at defensive end, but Gundy acknowledged that the interior of the defensive line is a position that lacks depth, so Leveni’s injury is a tough pill to swallow.
“We’re not as experienced and we don’t have as much depth at that position,” Gundy said. “The next guy will have to step up and make some plays.”
The 6-foot-3, 290-pound Leveni played in every game as a redshirt freshman last season, registering 16 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
For more Oklahoma State news, visit OStateIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
