Oklahoma State has bolstered its secondary with the addition of former North Carolina defensive back DeAndre Boykins.
A versatile and experienced player, Boykins is listed at 6-foot-0, 200 pounds and brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to Stillwater.
Boykins’ most productive season came in 2022, when he started all 14 games for the Tar Heels, amassing 67 total tackles (48 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, seven pass breakups, one interception, and a fumble recovery.
Down the stretch of the ’22 season, he earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks after a game-sealing interception against Miami and a seven-tackle effort against Duke.
Unfortunately, Boykins missed the entire 2023 season due to a lower-body injury sustained in preseason camp. However, he was able to return in 2024, making 11 appearances and recording six tackles and one pass breakup.
Coming out of Central Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina, Boykins was a highly regarded four-star recruit. He was the No. 181 overall prospect (247Sports) and the No. 6 athlete in the 2021 class. He received offers from numerous top programs, including Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan, and Auburn, before committing to North Carolina.
Boykins’ addition is just the latest in a string of transfer commitments that Oklahoma State has made through the transfer portal to strengthen its defense. He joins a group of newcomers that includes edge rushers Wendell Gregory (South Carolina) and Taje McCoy (Colorado), defensive tackle De’Marion Thomas (Vanderbilt), and linebacker Darius Thomas (Western Kentucky).
With his experience and versatility, Boykins is expected to make an immediate impact in the Cowboys’ secondary as they prepare for the upcoming season.
