Big 12 recruiting wish list: Oklahoma State Cowboys
As the football season is slowly winding down, Christmas is just right around the corner. I am sure everyone in your family is constantly asking you what you want for Christmas. So, you start jotting down ideas or things that you would like but this isn’t that type of list. This list for the hardcore college football fans who know their team better than they know some people in their own family. Yeah, this is that list.
What does every hardcore fan want for their team? Recruits baby!
They want that five-star guy who can elevate their program or the three-star gem who becomes an All-American. Every program will have guys leave due to graduation or transfers which leave holes on the depth chart. This is a list of three positional needs in order of importance. So, Oklahoma State fans, this is what your team needs heading into 2018. Now before I begin, I am not breaking down film of these guys. Until they sign on the dotted line, there is no need to assume they are automatically going to sign with their current team that they are committed to. We will do a full class breakdown of each team on the final signing day in February.
1. Wide Receiver
Current situation: The Cowboys came into the year with the most depth at wide receiver in the entire nation, so they were bound to take a hit. Biletnikoff Award winner James Washington is gone, along with Marcell Ateman and Chris Lacy. There are some very solid players coming back in Tyron Johnson, Jalen McCleskey, Dillon Stoner and Tylan Wallace. But as we know, Mike Gundy can never have himself enough wide receivers.
Currently Committed (247Sports)
4 Star WR CJ Moore (Tulsa, OK) (6’5”, 175) (#25 WR)
3 Star WR Jonathan Sheperd (Kilgore, TX) (6’4”, 196) (#87)
3 Star ATH Gabe Lemons (Coppell, TX) (6’2”, 175) (#128 ATH)
Current Targets with Interest
5 Star WR Terrance Marshall (Bossler City, LA) (6’3”, 192) (#1 WR)
4 Star WR Jaylen Waddle (Bellaire, TX) (5’10”, 175) (#7 WR)
4 Star WR JaMarr Chase (Metalrle, LA) (6’1”, 195) (#15 WR)
4 Star WR Joshua Moore (Yoakum, TX) (6’1”, 170) (#17 WR)
My take: It was important to keep the in-state star CJ Moore in the state of Oklahoma and away from the Sooners. Oklahoma State managed to do that with the Tulsa Union star. Considering the depth and talent OSU has coming back, if they only bring in the three currently committed, it will do. But land one of the other four or five-star players they’re interested in, watch out. That being said, all four of them appear to be cooling on the Cowboys. It’s hard to blame ’em, considering how easy it is to get lost in such a deep unit.
2. Offensive tackle
Current situation: Both starting tackles, Aaron Cochran and Zachary Crabtree are gone, along with Crabtree’s back up Shane Richards. Crabtree was vital for this line, and we saw what his absence can cause in the loss to TCU, when the right side of the Cowboys’ offensive line was decimated and taken advantage of by the Horned Frogs.
Currently Committed (247Sports)
3 Star OT Hunter Anthony (Tuttle, OK) (6’7”, 320) (#83 OT)
3 Star OT Hunter Woodard (Tuscola, IL) (6’5”, 296) (#65 OT)
3 Star OT Jacob Farrell (Sulphur, OK) (6’6”, 280) (#55 OT)
Current Targets with Interest
5 Star OT Cade Mayes (Knoxville, TN) (6’6”, 320) (#2 OT)
My take: It’s not a very deep group, but it’s a potentially talented group with very high upside. 6’5”, 6’6” and 6’7”, with both at least 295 pounds? Sign me up! The problem is, last year’s group had just one offensive tackle recruit. But two years ago, Mike Gundy brought in four. There also could be plenty of shuffling on the offensive line with possibly one-time guards moving to tackle and vice versa. Offensive lines are always works in progress and will be determined through spring and summer camp. But as always, the more bodies the better.
3. Safety
Current situation: Both starting safeties, Tre Flowers and Ramon Richards, along with Jerel Morrow and Darius Curry, are gone. Flowers led the team with 68 tackles, with two interceptions, while Richards was fourth on the team in tackles with 57 and two interceptions as well. They were also veteran leaders who had plenty of game experience. That could be missed as much as anything.
Currently Committed (247Sports)
3 Star S Jason Taylor (Oklahoma City, OK) (6’1”, 175) (#57 S)
3 Star S Kanion Williams (Dallas, TX) (6′, 170) (#68 S)
3 Star S Jarrick Bernard (Shereveport, LA) (6’1”, 195) (#91 S)
3 Star S Kolby Peel (College Station, TX) (6′, 209) (#70 S)
Current Targets with Interest
4 Star S Leon O’Neal Jr. (Cypress,TX) (6’1”m 190) (#9 S)
3 Star S Aaron Bruhle (Metalrle, LA) (6’1”, 205) (#30 S)
My take: A very solid haul for Gundy and Co., but nothing spectacular, especially when considering that O’Neal and Bruhle are not considered to be leaning towards the Pokes. Also, the Cowboys only brought in two safeties on scholarship last season, and in the Big 12, you can never have enough pieces in the secondary. There doesn’t appear to be that high-level talent of the bunch that can make an immediate impact, but overall, it’s pretty darn good.
4. Linebacker
Current situation: The team’s heart and soul on defense, Chad Whitener is gone to graduation. He was tied for the team lead with 68 tackles, along with 6.5 tackles for loss, plus two interceptions. Fellow linebackers on the two deep, Kirk Tucker and Gyasi Akem, who combined for over 40 tackles, are also graduating.
Currently committed (247Sports)
3 Star ILB Blake Barron (Rockwall, TX) (6′, 225) (#36 ILB)
Current Targets with Interest
3 Star OLB Izaih Filikitonga (Euless, TX) (6’2”, 237) (#78 OLB)
3 Star OLB Case Gatlin (Bradenton, FL) (6’4”, 220) (#95 OLB)
3 Star ILB Carson Kropp (Owasso, OK) (6’2”, 220) (#96 ILB)
My take: The Pokes could use a late push at the linebacker position, especially since the three targets with interest are reportedly cooling on the Cowboys. Also, Oklahoma State only had two commits at linebacker last season with JUCO transfer Patrick Macon, who never made the impact expected, along with Brendan Vaughn, who was kicked off the team. Justin Phillips and Calvin Bundage will lead the unit next year, but there needs to be a “next wave” after that, and I don’t see it yet in Stillwater.
