Update: Ngata pushes back announcement date

It’s a big weekend for Oklahoma State, and not just because they’re trying to avoid a three-game losing streak in Ames on Saturday when they face Iowa State.

On Sunday, OSU’s top running back target for 2020, four-star all purpose back Daniyel Ngata will announce his commitment, and right now a LOT of signs are pointing Cowboy.

The five schools in the running for are Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Texas A&M, Clemson, and Utah. Those were his last announced top five with three — OSU, ASU, and A&M — receiving official visits.

According to the recruiting site Rivals.com, Oklahoma State is the favorite. Of the 10 forecasts that have been made six are for OSU with all of them coming since Tuesday. The other four are for Arizona State. Three of OSU’s the six votes were for the Sun Devils, but have been switched this week. That includes a vote by Hod Rabino, an Arizona State beat writer.

Now, according to 247 Sports experts, Arizona State is the favorite with five of the nine crystal balls in their favor. It had been A&M, but earlier this month a number of votes switched to the Sun Devils, while others are now sitting at “undecided.”

But here’s the thing about 247 Sports; ignore the crystal balls. In a video posted Thursday evening, 247 Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltford said that OSU might have the edge.

“I would say that Oklahoma State’s probably in the best position to land the nation’s number two all-purpose back out of Folsom High.”

According to Wiltford, A&M was the leader of the pack, but since Ngata’s official visit and in part the season Chuba is having, OSU is now the team to beat.

“I think the success the Cowboys are having on offense led by Chuba Hubbard, who leads the nation in rushing and rushing touchdowns. The season he’s having, the tradition that they’ve had on offense, and the visit, collectively, I think Ngata and his parents are favoring Oklahoma State.”

It’s not just that Oklahoma State still needs a running back commit for 2020, there’s a good chance they’ll have to replace Chuba Hubbard next season. Landing Ngata would go a long way with that.

247’s composite rating gives Ngata a 0.9734. If he commits to OSU (and signs), he wouldn’t only be the highest rated recruit in the 2020 class, he’d be the highest rated commit since 2007.

I came into the week thinking OSU was a long shot. Now? There’s too much smoke not to believe there’s fire.

Ngata will make his announcement on Sunday, though there’s no word at what time. I would just suggest Oklahoma State fans keep an eye on his Twitter account.

Update as of Sunday night:

After originally planning on making his announcement Sunday, Ngata Tweeted out that he will wait until the Hall of Fame World Bowl game to announce where he will be taking his talents.

The game and Ngata announcement will be on CBS on December 22.