Defensive tackle Cameron Murray pushed hard for playing time last year, but he saw the veterans blocking his path.
No obstacles remain for the junior from Bryant, Arkansas, who will have the opportunity to earn a starting job with his performance in preseason camp.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Murray played in all 13 games as a backup last season, recording half a sack, but the door is open for a much larger role as OSU rebuilds its defensive front.
“I changed my whole vibe,” Murray said. “I prided myself in the offseason when they told me I had to be a guy this year, step up and maybe come into a starting role.