Darrion Daniels is a coach.
He yells words of encouragement from the sidelines at Boone Pickens Stadium. He gives Oklahoma State football players pep talks when they’re struggling. He offers advice before they leave for road games and often travels with them.
But Daniels isn’t a member of the coaching staff. He is a 20-year-old, 6-foot-3, 320-pound senior defensive tackle for the Cowboys.
He is also the steady voice of positive leadership for the teammates he played beside just two months ago on Lewis Field.
Daniels’ role has shifted. In practice before OSU’s road victory against Kansas, he tore a tendon in his left pinkie finger and was required to undergo surgery.