Mike Gundy has a quarterback problem, and his latest comments about Zane Flores just made it crystal clear. After one of the worst seasons in recent history, the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ head coach is still searching for answers at the most important position on the field.
His description of Flores as a “mystery” tells you everything about this program’s state heading into the 2025 season.
Why Did Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy Call QB Zane Flores a ‘Mystery?’
Oklahoma State Cowboys football coach Mike Gundy acknowledged that QB Zane Flores had a successful spring and worked hard during the offseason. However, he also admitted Flores remains a “mystery” because he hasn’t played in any real games yet.
This creates a concerning situation for Oklahoma State fans who watched their team struggle through the 2024 campaign.
Flores has been with the team for two years but hasn’t started a single game. His only current competition is Hauss Hejny, who transferred from TCU but didn’t throw a single pass in 2024. That leaves the Cowboys with two quarterbacks with zero game experience at this level.
The coach’s comments came in a quote shared by ESPN reporter Max Olson on July 7. Olson posted it on his X account, where Gundy said, “He’s had a really good offseason, he did well in the spring. We think he’s gonna be a really good player. But he hasn’t played any games, so that mystery side is still there.”
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy on QB Zane Flores: “He’s had a really good offseason, he did well in the spring. We think he’s gonna be a really good player. But he has played any games, so that mystery side is still there.” pic.twitter.com/28Q68zv0e5
— Max Olson (@max_olson) July 9, 2025
This uncertainty becomes even more troubling when you consider what the Cowboys went through in 2024. They didn’t win any games in Big 12 play and finished with their second losing season under Gundy. The coach even took a pay cut this winter so the team could spend more money to fix its problems.
Despite these efforts, the quarterback position remains unsettled. Flores has been learning the system for three seasons, but coaches still say he’s not ready and describe him as “developing.” Meanwhile, Hejny brings no game experience from his time at TCU. This puts the Cowboys in an extremely difficult position as they try to rebuild.
What Other Offensive Problems Must Oklahoma State Solve?
The quarterback uncertainty represents just one piece of Oklahoma State’s offensive puzzle. The problems run much deeper than just finding someone to take snaps.
The Cowboys’ offensive line was one of the worst in the Big 12 during the 2024 season. The unit managed only 198 Total Points For and now features many new players from smaller colleges.
This makes it even harder for any quarterback to succeed, regardless of their talent level.
Adding to these concerns, the wide receivers haven’t provided much help either. The team lacks a go-to player who can be trusted to make big plays when needed. The running game also hasn’t been strong enough to take pressure off the quarterback position.
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These combined issues create a perfect storm of offensive problems. Whether Flores or Hejny eventually wins the starting job, both will be playing behind an untested offensive line with limited weapons around them.
For the Cowboys to bounce back from their disastrous 2024 campaign, they’ll need one of these inexperienced quarterbacks to step up immediately.
The 2025 season approaches quickly, but Oklahoma State still hasn’t found its leader on offense. Who gets the first start might not matter unless they can handle the pressure and deliver results right away. With so many question marks surrounding this unit, Cowboys fans have every reason to be concerned about what lies ahead.
