Football Recruiting: The state of Oklahoma State’s roster

The first opportunity for the class of 2020 to sign their letter of intent begins Dec. 18. While it won’t be the end of recruiting for 2020, as there is still the late signing period from February through April, more than half of most schools’ classes will sign this week making it a HUGE three-day period on the recruiting cycle.

But before we dig deep into what Oklahoma State already has committed for 2020 — and where they’re still focusing their efforts — we need to start by looking at the current roster and what is coming back for next season.

Looking at the current Oklahoma State football roster listed on okstate.com, the Cowboys currently have 80 players on scholarship.

Of those, 10 will have their eligibility expire at the end of the season, four on offense, six on defense, and one on special teams.

CB A.J. Green
CB Kemah Siverand
CB Bryce Balous
LB Philip Redwine-Bryant
DE Mike Scott
QB Dru Brown
WR Jordan McCray
OL Johnny Wilson
OL Marcus Keyes
K Matt Ammendola

Four more have either entered the transfer portal or already announced a new team they’ve transferred too.

RB Jahmyl Jeter (Texas State)
CW Grayson Boomer
CB JayVeon Cardwell
CB Xavier Player

That leaves Oklahoma State with 65 scholarship players heading into 2020. As you’ll notice, this doesn’t include anyone who might forego their remaining eligibility to enter the NFL draft or any other potential transfers we don’t see coming. And since we don’t know for sure who might be leaving early (including Tylan Wallace, Chuba Hubbard, and Rodarius Williams), let’s operate as though they are returning moving forward.

Quarterback

Quarterback feels set for the next few years. Oklahoma State will bring back redshirt sophomore Spencer Sanders, who started 10 of 12 regular season games this past season. They also have true freshman Brendan Costello and two walk-on QBs on the roster in redshirt freshman Shaun Taylor and freshman Peyton Thompson.

Wide Receiver

Tylan Wallace’s decision will have a huge impact on the Oklahoma State roster, but the position is not without returning talent. The Cowboys are only set to lose redshirt senior Jordan McCray and walk-on Taje Williams. They’ll return a lot of experience with Landon Wolf, Tyrell Alexander, Dillon Stoner, and Patrick McKaufman all entering their redshirt-senior seasons. Not to mention young talent in C.J. Moore, Langston Anderson, Braydon Johnson, and Jonathan Shepherd. If Tylan is gone, someone will need to step up to truly be “the guy” next year, but there are plenty of options to choose from.

Running Back

This is a big one, especially if Chuba Hubbard decides to go pro. OSU has Dezmon Jackson (junior), LD Brown (RS Junior), and Deondrick Glass (Freshman) returning, as well as walk-on Micah Cooper who has impressed the coaching staff. Only one of these guys saw real minutes outside of Hubbard. OSU will need someone to step up next year if the Canadian speedster leaves. To be honest, this is a position group that needs some work and will remain a focus in the 2020 recruiting class.

Cowboy Back

The decision by Boomer to transfer is disappointing, but OSU will return all three guys that saw meaningful snaps this season in Jelani Woods, Dayton Metcalf, and Logan Carter.

Offensive Line

Oklahoma State will lose two huge pieces of the line in Wilson and Keyes, but the position group is deep with guys. Galloway, Jenkins, Bray, Schneider, and Woodard — all guys that saw snaps this year, should all be back. Obviously, the Cowboys hope that some of the younger guys on the roster are ready to step in as well, but you still have some real talent returning, especially Galloway and Jenkins.

Defensive End

You have to feel good about this position group moving forward, with guys like Trace Ford, Tyler Lacy, Brock Martin, and Brayden Cassity all returning (and young!). Honestly, this is one of the strongest returning position groups on the team heading into next season.

Defensive Tackle

A season after losing seven of their top defensive lineman, Oklahoma State could potentially return every meaningful player at DT barring a transfer or early exit. Israel Antwine, Cameron Murry, Jayden Jurnigan, Amadou Fofana, Brendon Evers, and Sione Asi are all set to return. Seriously, between the DE and DT groups, OSU should have a solid D-line in 2020.

Linebacker

Ok so what I said about the DE and DT position groups continues with linebacker as they’re set to return some major difference makers at the position. Malcolm Rodriguez, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and Devin Harper should be back. Kevin Harper was granted a sixth year of eligibility. Plus, there are rumors that Calvin Bundage will return for a RS Senior season. Good grief that’s a lot of talent.

Safety

So let’s just say that a lot is going to be expected of the Oklahoma State defense next season. Here are the returning safeties; everyone. Kolby Harvell-Peel, Tre Sterling, and Jarrick Bernard were three of the team’s top six tacklers this year. Plus, there is some young talent behind them ready to make their mark next season.

Cornerback

This is the one area of concern for the defense. And it’s a BIG one. If Rodarius Williams leaves is back, there will only be three other returning CBs; freshman Thomas Harper, freshman Demarco Jones, and RS freshman Gabe Lemons. Harper and Lemons both played in 11 games this season, which is good. But it’s still going to be a very young group next year.

Special Teams

Punter Tom Hutton returns for his sophomore season next year, but starting kicker Matt Ammendola is gone. Someone will take over his role and earn themselves a scholarship in the process. RS freshman Alex Hale feels like the early favorite, but RS sophomore Jake McClure will likely vie for the job as well.