Oklahoma State redshirt senior linebacker Trip White shared on Mar. 27 his experiences adjusting to new teammates and coaches as the football team prepares for the upcoming season.
White said joining a group with over 80 new people initially made him feel like an outsider, but emphasized that being a good teammate helped him integrate quickly. “When you first come in and you don’t know anyone, and there’s over 80 new people, I kind of felt like the new person on the team. Other people already knew each other, but if you just be a good teammate, you’ll fit right in. I know most of the defense, so that’s the good part. I just have to know more of the offensive guys,” he said.
Reflecting on how the team is progressing together, White described a positive environment focused on unity and improvement. “It’s going pretty good. Everyone is buying in, the team is locking in, trying to come together. We’re still trying to find our identity. The transition was pretty good,” he said.
White also spoke about linebackers coach Reggie Johnson’s approach: “Coach Johnson is a cool guy. I love coach Johnson. He’s funny, but he’s a business guy too. He’s a good teacher.” On his decision to remain at Oklahoma State University (OSU), White said: “I really loved the OSU culture. I want to see us win and I know it’s going to be this season.” He added that adjusting to his new linebacker room has been positive: “It’s been good. Everyone’s cool… We’ve been having little team get togethers where we get to have fun, but when we get here it’s about business.”
White credited fellow linebacker Ethan Wesloski for helping him adapt quickly by spending time reviewing film together: “We were in the film together earlier because he knows the defense. He got me in the film room early and got me used to the system pretty well.” Beyond football activities, White noted his recent experience attending an OSU softball game for the first time: “It was pretty cool.”
As preparations continue ahead of next season, players like White are working toward building chemistry both on and off the field.
