Oklahoma State had landed a significant recruiting win in the Class of 2026, securing four-star wing Jalen Montonati as a cornerstone piece in Steve Lutz’s vision for the program’s rebuild. According to ESPN, Montonati ranks No. 44 nationally and is the top player in Oklahoma.
Montonati made his commitment public today, choosing the Cowboys over several blue‑blood suitors, including Kansas, Oklahoma, Indiana, USC, and others. His connection to OSU goes deeper than Xs and Os: his father, Brian Montonati, played at Oklahoma State under Eddie Sutton in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jalen’s high school coach is also his father, and their shared journey gives this commitment an emotional weight beyond typical recruiting hype.
Montonati arrives with a well-rounded offensive profile. He shot his way onto the national radar via major summer circuits, averaging 15.8 points in EYBL play and showing he can knock down perimeter looks under pressure. At Owasso High School in Oklahoma, he built a résumé of consistency and efficiency, highlighted by two Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year awards.
This is more than a local talent staying home. For OSU, it’s a statement. Lutz, entering Year 3, needed a visible recruiting signal to fans, prospects, and boosters alike. Landing a recruit of Montonati’s caliber sends the message that Stillwater wants to compete for top-tier talent again.
The timing also matters. Montonati is the first commitment in the class and gives OSU momentum to build around. His recruitment had wide interest, but the Cowboys’ persistence stood out. Lutz reportedly made an in‑home visit the day after he was hired, signaling early interest and continuity even with staff turnover. Sources say OSU made Montonati a priority from Day 1, a pitch he now accepted.
It won’t be easy. OSU must keep delivering development, exposure, and winning in order to retain recruits like Montonati in a loaded Big 12 landscape. But on paper, this is as strong a lift as a program could ask for from its first big commitment in a rebuilding class. If Montonati’s arrival becomes a recruiting catalyst, Lutz may finally have the momentum he needs in Stillwater.
