STILLWATER — The middle linebacker position was never one of concern for Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles last season.
At the time, Justin Phillips was entering his senior year and had proven his reliability.
That afforded Knowles the opportunity to look to the future at that position. And it started with Amen Ogbongbemiga.
“From the time I arrived, knowing Justin was only gonna be here for a year, I pointed at Amen as a guy who was smart, could learn the system, and then could manage it,” Knowles said. “So I've been pretty hard on him for a year to be ready.