Oklahoma State football: Examining the Cowboys' 2022 recruiting class
Scott WrightOklahoman
STILLWATER — National Signing Day is less than two months away, and Oklahoma State’s recruiting class of 2022 is nearly full.
OSU coach Mike Gundy and his staff have picked up commitments from 14 players, and only expect to bring in two or three more, while also holding spots for another two or three transfers off the NCAA portal.
Let’s examine three key questions about the OSU recruiting class:
Who are the stars of the class so far?
Despite the lack of size for the class as a whole, it is filled with big-time recruits. There are five four-star prospects, according to Rivals.com, and a couple more who are on the four-star bubble, like Bixby do-it-all standout Braylin Presley.
The four-star prospects include Beggs running back CJ Brown, running back Ollie Gordon of Euless (Texas) Trinity, cornerback Cameron Epps of Chaminade College Prep in St. Louis, receiver Talyn Shettron of Edmond Santa Fe and offensive lineman Tyrone Webber from New Mexico Military Institute.
Other highly rated three-star prospects from OSU’s huge February haul — when the Pokes picked up five commitments in 10 days — include quarterback Garret Rangel of Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, receiver Mason Gilkey of Pawhuska and defensive end Landon Dean from Frontenac, Kansas.
Where do the Cowboys need to work to fill holes in the class?
The class is fairly balanced so far, with every position group adding at least one player, and most groups getting two. So the coaching staff can afford to be picky in how it uses its remaining spots, whether it’s looking at high school prospects or potential transfers.
The offensive line has two commitments and could use another player or two. The defensive line could be in line for another prospect as well.
The Cowboys are among the favorites for Choctaw defensive end Desean Brown, who will announce his commitment on Sunday. Brown is a 6-foot-4, 255-pound prospect with a four-star rating.
The Cowboys are going to be scanning the NCAA transfer portal looking for the next Jaylen Warren or Danny Godlevske who could fit into an immediate starting role in the fall of 2022.
Adding another wrinkle to the recruiting strategy, OSU has 21 scholarship seniors and 14 of them are eligible to return as super-seniors because of the NCAA rule allowing an extra year of eligibility to players because of the pandemic.
It is yet to be seen how the NCAA will address roster limits with super-seniors next year and beyond. For 2021, super-seniors were essentially given a free spot on the roster, not counting against the 85-scholarship limit.
Not all 14 of OSU’s potential super-seniors are going to stick around. Many are NFL-caliber players who will move on to the next level. Still, the Cowboys could be looking at another five or six who would like one more year of college ball. Those players will boost depth at their positions, lessening the immediacy for recruiting at those positions.
How does this class rank on a national scale?
Right now, Rivals.com ranks the Cowboys 32nd nationally. Their rankings aren’t going to be as high as they would be in a normal year, because the class is so small. OSU has 14 commitments and five four-star players, which is a high percentage compared to past seasons under Gundy.
In fact, it’s more four-star players than Gundy has recruited in the past three classes combined.
Clemson is ranked No. 12 with 13 commitments and is the only school rated higher than OSU with fewer than 14 players in the class.
OSU is likely going to max out with fewer than 20 players in its recruiting class — unless something substantial changes on the roster — while most programs will sign close to a full class of 25 in December.
Oklahoma State 2022 commitments
Name, Position, Height, Weight, Hometown (School)CJ Brown, RB, 6-0, 180, Beggs
Gabe Brown, LB, 6-2, 210, Stillwater
Landon Dean, DE, 6-4, 235, Frontenac, Kansas
Cameron Epps, DB, 6-3, 216, St. Louis, Missouri (Chaminade College Prep)
Mason Gilkey, WR, 6-4, 170, Pawhuska
Ollie Gordon, RB, 6-2, 205, Euless, Texas (Trinity)
Jaleel Johnson, DE, 6-4, 238, Oklahoma City (Putnam City North)
Austin Kawecki, OL, 6-5, 265, Frisco, Texas (Lebanon Trail)
Dylahn McKinney, DB, 6-2, 170, Colleyville, Texas (Heritage)
Braylin Presley, RB/WR, 5-9, 170, Bixby
Garret Rangel, QB, 6-2, 175, Frisco, Texas (Lone Star)
Tabry Shettron, TE, 6-4, 203, Edmond (Santa Fe)
Talyn Shettron, WR, 6-2, 186, Edmond (Santa Fe)
Tyrone Webber, OL, 6-5, 290, St. Catharines, Ontario (New Mexico Military Institute)
