Saying Goodbye to the Seniors: Defense

When Oklahoma State takes the field against Colorado on December 29th, it will be the final appearance for many Cowboys.

In this post, we’re going to look at the Seniors on defense who will be leaving us.

Lenzy Pipkins | R-Sr. | CB

Career: Over the years, OSU has always had a graduate transfer or two come in and make a big difference. This year’s Most Valuable Grad Transfer, Lenzy Pipkins. Corner depth was very much needed in Stillwater this season, and Pipkins did an outstanding job filling the need. One thing that Cowboy fans have noticed about Pipkins; his motor. Pipkins has been flying around the field for Coach Spencer, and he has made me and other fans wish we had Lenzy on our team sooner.

First team All-Big 12 name.

Best Game: 10/1/16 vs Texas: 7 Total tackles, 1 tackle for loss.

Biggest Play: Pipkins had a huge pick against Kenny Hill in our win over TCU this season.

(1:18-2:09)

Ashton Lampkin | R-Sr. | CB

Career: Ashton Lampkin was highly regarded coming out of high school, and during his time at OSU, he has shown flashes of NFL talent when healthy. Lampkin played a good amount for the Cowboys during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and was even on his way to a breakout junior year before an ankle injury shut him down. Unfortunately, health has been a bit of a struggle for Lampkin as he has dealt with nagging injuries since 2014.

Despite the injury bug, Lampkin still has NFL talent, and we may be seeing him play at the next level.

Best Game: 9/13/14 vs UTSA: 2 tackles, 1 interception, 1 TD

Biggest Play: Like snatching crab legs from a supermarket. (Don’t make me explain this reference)

Jordan Sterns | Sr. | S

Career: Oklahoma State is losing one of the best to ever put on orange and black. There has not been a defensive player in my recent memory who has made Oklahoma State fans jump to their feet and yell, “OH MY!” more than Sterns has. After receiving limited snaps during his freshman campaign, Sterns became an enforcer for the Oklahoma State secondary from his sophomore year, on.

Sterns has posted two straight 100+ tackle seasons, and with four tackles in the upcoming Alamo Bowl, he will have made it three straight seasons such marks. He was named second team All-Big 12 during his junior year, and first team All-Big 12 this season. Jordan Sterns has become a fan favorite, and he is one of those players that we will never forget.

Best Game: 11/5/16 @ KSU: 12 solo tackles, game winning interception.

Biggest Play: Can someone put together a hit montage? In the meantime, watch Jordan Sterns crush Kansas State’s dreams with this game clinching interception.

Jordan Burton | R-Sr. | LB

Career: Jordan Burton only played two seasons in Stillwater, but he absolutely made those two seasons count. After coming over from junior college, Burton was immediately inserted into a starting position at star linebacker, and only missed one game during his Oklahoma State career.

Burton was named an Associated Press First Team All-Big 12 linebacker in 2015, and has 157 total tackles going into his final game in an Oklahoma State uniform.

Best Game: 11/7/15 vs. TCU: 13 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack (against Boykin)

Biggest Play: This is what you call, an “NFL Interception.”

Derrick Moncrief | R-Sr. | S

Career: Transferring from Auburn, Derrick Moncrief made the safety position one of the deepest position groups for the Cowboys this season. Moncrief gave the Cowboys that SEC size that they needed so badly in the secondary and on special teams.

Given a little more time in a Pokes uni, I’m sure he could’ve developed into a VERY productive player for us.

Best Game: 11/5/16 @ KSU: 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss

Biggest Play: Moncrief wrestles a pass away from an Iowa State receiver and Ramon Richards. Huge pick. Also, just look at the love he’s getting from his teammates... It can’t be very easy to be a transfer player, but despite limited time on campus, Derrick Moncrief sure looks like a #Cowboyforlife. (remaining video is full Iowa State game)

Devante Averette | R-Sr. | LB

Career: Devante Averette is another player who made his way to Stillwater via junior college. Averette took a redshirt year in 2014 due to injury, but really made his mark in 2015 with his tenacious play on special teams. During his senior season, he took advantage of the opportunity to play, and is on pace to finish as Oklahoma State’s second leading tackler this season.

Averette was snubbed from an honorable mention on the All-Big 12 teams, which is a shame. Averette’s toughness and grit will always be remembered by Cowboy fans.

Best Game: 9/34/16 @ Baylor: 11 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss

Biggest Play: Devante has definitely made some big plays over his career, but the pure athleticism shown on this play was just too much to pass up. Stripped his block, ripped the ball out, and scooped the ball backwards (while flying out of bounds) to Ramon Richards for the score.

Motekiai Maile | R-Sr. | DL

Career: Coming from JUCO, Mote Maile was a huge pickup for the Cowboys that gave them some size up front. With the injuries to Vili Levini, and the contant attention that teams had to give to his teammate, Vincent Taylor, Maile made a name for himself on the interior line of the Cowboy defense.

Best Game: 11/5/16 @ KSU: 4 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack.

Biggest Play: Blocked PAT against the Gooners. (p.s. the rest of the video contains the 2015 Bedlam Game, and no one wants to watch that)