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OSU FOOTBALL RECRUITING
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s offseason got off to a chaotic start, to say the least, but despite a publicly reworked contract for coach Mike Gundy and a staff in transition, the Cowboys are on track to finish with their highest-ranked portal class yet.
As of Monday, 247Sports ranks Oklahoma State’s five-commitment class 15th nationally and fifth in the Big 12. Rivals and On3 are a little lower, respectively, placing the Cowboys 28th and 32nd overall, although that would be the highest place OSU has finished in either ranking.
Here’s where Oklahoma State’s previous two classes finished in the rankings. All Big 12 rankings below factor in all current conference members.
Rivals: 99th (T14)
On3: 60th (14)
Average: 77th
Rivals: 33rd (4)
On3: 57th (14)
Average: 31st
Oklahoma State’s average ranking of 25th overall is a high point for OSU in the transfer portal, and that ranking doesn’t reflect any Cowboys who may choose to withdraw from the transfer portal, as appears to be the case with slot receiver Da’Wain Lofton, according to Bryan Miller, a vice president of Peterson Sports Management.
Lofton chose to redshirt and preserve his eligibility after a preseason injury sidelined him until OSU faced West Virginia in Week 5. In four games this season, Lofton caught six passes for 140 yards.
Lofton will likely split time in the slot with former Sooner Gavin Freeman. Across his career, which included three seasons with Virginia Tech, Lofton caught 41 passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns.
Considering expected roster limitations coming to college athletics this offseason, this portal class could be more impactful than previous groups as schools nationwide are forced to be more selective than ever.
Eligibility remaining: Two years
2024 stats: Played in nine games
Career stats: Played in 13 games
What it means for OSU: Taukeiaho’s potential impact is harder to discern than most, considering how offensive line play is tracked at lower levels. However, if any position needs warm bodies in Stillwater, it’s this one. Oklahoma State lost five of its top six offensive linemen to graduation and the other to the portal. Given that, Taukeiaho should have plenty of chances to prove he can start for the Cowboys, especially at the guard positions.
Eligibility: One year left
2024 stats: 120 tackles, 1.5 for loss, two pass breakups
Career stats: 237 tackles, 7.5 for loss, one sack, two pass breakups
What it means for OSU: Pro Football Focus ranks McCoy 11th in stop percentage at 13.3. The stop stat was designed to measure how effective the defender was at making tackles against rushing players that either resulted in a loss of yards or such a small gain that its a “loss” for the offense. The Cowboys struggled against almost every back they faced in 2024, so McCoy’s path to playing time could be that simple.
Eligibility remaining: One year
2024 stats: 19 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns
Career stats: 29 receptions for 248 yards and seven touchdowns
What it means for OSU: Freshman Josh Ford was the head of a committee at tight end. He should continue to improve in 2025, but Oklahoma State must replace No. 2 tight end Tyler Foster, who played 210 snaps in 2024.
Eligibility remaining: Three years
2024 stats: Played 853 snaps at center and allowed one sack and 14 hurries on 507 pass-blocking snaps.
Career stats: Carpenter only played three snaps before 2024.
What it means for OSU: Carpenter’s experience makes him an early favorite to start at center as the team rebuilds a line that appeared to be the offense’s kryptonite running the ball in 2024.
Eligibility remaining: Three years
2024 stats: Two carries for 11 yards
Career stats: Five carries for 25 yards and one touchdown
What it means for OSU: The running back room is crowded at the top with Rodney Fields, Trent Howland and Sesi Vailahi competing to replace Ollie Gordon. However, the team could use more depth, and none of those guys clearly separated as the No. 2 option behind Gordon. So a newcomer might have an outside shot.
OSU FOOTBALL RECRUITING
Oklahoma State on track for its best portal class ever, what impact will newcomers have in 2025?
- Dec 16, 2024 Updated 10 hrs ago
Tyler Waldrep
OSU Sports WriterSTILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s offseason got off to a chaotic start, to say the least, but despite a publicly reworked contract for coach Mike Gundy and a staff in transition, the Cowboys are on track to finish with their highest-ranked portal class yet.
As of Monday, 247Sports ranks Oklahoma State’s five-commitment class 15th nationally and fifth in the Big 12. Rivals and On3 are a little lower, respectively, placing the Cowboys 28th and 32nd overall, although that would be the highest place OSU has finished in either ranking.
Here’s where Oklahoma State’s previous two classes finished in the rankings. All Big 12 rankings below factor in all current conference members.
OSU’s 2024 transfer portal rankings
247: 68th (14th in Big 12)Rivals: 99th (T14)
On3: 60th (14)
Average: 77th
OSU’s 2023 transfer portal rankings
247: 22nd (5th in Big 12)Rivals: 33rd (4)
On3: 57th (14)
Average: 31st
Oklahoma State’s average ranking of 25th overall is a high point for OSU in the transfer portal, and that ranking doesn’t reflect any Cowboys who may choose to withdraw from the transfer portal, as appears to be the case with slot receiver Da’Wain Lofton, according to Bryan Miller, a vice president of Peterson Sports Management.
Lofton chose to redshirt and preserve his eligibility after a preseason injury sidelined him until OSU faced West Virginia in Week 5. In four games this season, Lofton caught six passes for 140 yards.
Lofton will likely split time in the slot with former Sooner Gavin Freeman. Across his career, which included three seasons with Virginia Tech, Lofton caught 41 passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns.
Considering expected roster limitations coming to college athletics this offseason, this portal class could be more impactful than previous groups as schools nationwide are forced to be more selective than ever.
OL Lavaka Taukeiaho (Weber State)
247 Rankings: 244th overall, 16th interior offensive lineEligibility remaining: Two years
2024 stats: Played in nine games
Career stats: Played in 13 games
What it means for OSU: Taukeiaho’s potential impact is harder to discern than most, considering how offensive line play is tracked at lower levels. However, if any position needs warm bodies in Stillwater, it’s this one. Oklahoma State lost five of its top six offensive linemen to graduation and the other to the portal. Given that, Taukeiaho should have plenty of chances to prove he can start for the Cowboys, especially at the guard positions.
LB Bryan McCoy (Akron)
247 Rankings: 260 overall, 15 LBEligibility: One year left
2024 stats: 120 tackles, 1.5 for loss, two pass breakups
Career stats: 237 tackles, 7.5 for loss, one sack, two pass breakups
What it means for OSU: Pro Football Focus ranks McCoy 11th in stop percentage at 13.3. The stop stat was designed to measure how effective the defender was at making tackles against rushing players that either resulted in a loss of yards or such a small gain that its a “loss” for the offense. The Cowboys struggled against almost every back they faced in 2024, so McCoy’s path to playing time could be that simple.
TE Jordan Owens (Central Arkansas)
247 Rankings: 307 overall, 16 TEEligibility remaining: One year
2024 stats: 19 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns
Career stats: 29 receptions for 248 yards and seven touchdowns
What it means for OSU: Freshman Josh Ford was the head of a committee at tight end. He should continue to improve in 2025, but Oklahoma State must replace No. 2 tight end Tyler Foster, who played 210 snaps in 2024.
OL Kasen Carpenter (Tulsa)
247 Rankings: 318 overall, 25 interior offensive lineEligibility remaining: Three years
2024 stats: Played 853 snaps at center and allowed one sack and 14 hurries on 507 pass-blocking snaps.
Career stats: Carpenter only played three snaps before 2024.
What it means for OSU: Carpenter’s experience makes him an early favorite to start at center as the team rebuilds a line that appeared to be the offense’s kryptonite running the ball in 2024.
RB Kalib Hicks (Oklahoma)
247 Rankings: Unranked at this timeEligibility remaining: Three years
2024 stats: Two carries for 11 yards
Career stats: Five carries for 25 yards and one touchdown
What it means for OSU: The running back room is crowded at the top with Rodney Fields, Trent Howland and Sesi Vailahi competing to replace Ollie Gordon. However, the team could use more depth, and none of those guys clearly separated as the No. 2 option behind Gordon. So a newcomer might have an outside shot.
