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2019 Recruiting: OSU’s Biggest Needs by Position (Part 1)

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Oklahoma State’s 2018 recruiting class addressed needs at every position, but especially so along the offensive line and at safety. With five incoming War Pigs and four incoming safeties, the staff adequately bolstered the roster at those positions with young talent that gives the team the luxury of shifting its focus elsewhere for the 2019 cycle.

So where might that focus shift as far as overall importance in 2019? Let’s break it down position-by-position, beginning with the defensive tackle spot in part 1 of our two-part series.

1. Defensive tackle

OSU signed two tackles late in the 2018 cycle — Samuela Tuihalamaka and Amadou Fofana — but there’s still work to be done to address the position. With Trey Carter, Enoch Smith Jr. and Darrion Daniels set to expire their eligibility after the 2018 season, there is plenty of room to fill for 2019.

DeMarvin Leal and Jayden Jernigan are two big-timers to watch.

2. Defensive end

Cole Walterscheid and Jarrell Owens are both redshirt seniors going into 2018, leaving big shoes to fill off the edge of OSU’s defense.

Even with junior college prospect Michael Scott and four-year players Braden Cassity and Tyler Lacy incoming, I think this will be a critical position to recruit for 2019. In-state edge rushers Trace Ford and Collin Clay are both intriguing targets to watch. The aforementioned Fofana might be an off-the-edge pass rusher or potentially an interior linemen, but he and Brock Martin represent the only returning players expected to be on the roster for 2019 that were on the 2017 roster. It’s a full reboot for defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements.

3. Linebacker

Justin Phillips and Kenneth Edison-McGruder are both on the outs after 2018, which means OSU needs to add an inside and outside backer to fill the void. And with Blake Barron and Kolby Peel representing OSU’s lone commits for 2018, I can see this class taking potentially three or four to help replace Chad Whitener, Gyasi Akem and Kirk Tucker. This will be a critical position for 2019, and new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has his work cut out for him.

It’s a position that Glenn Spencer (outside of Calvin Bundage and Justin Phillips) never recruited with any consistency and success.

4. Cowboy back

Even with the commitment of four-star tight end Grayson Boomer, I think OSU probably needs to add at least one more for 2019 to fill out its depth. With Sione Finefeuiaki graduating after 2018 and both Keenen Brown and Britton Abbott doing the same, there’s spots to fill to bolster the position alongside Baron Odom and Grayson Boomer for the future.

5. Quarterback

No matter the apparent logjam at QB going into the spring, QB is a position of need every cycle. So whether Brandon Weeden has four years eligibility left or Spencer Sanders proves to be the second coming of Deshaun Watson in 2018, building depth is still important.

If Sanders does come in and win the job, recruiting a QB might be difficult — and could even lead to defection with the current position group on campus. To that end, I think finding a QB for 2019 is of even higher importance. Especially with grad transfer Dru Brown on a one-year deal and Jelani Woods moving to Cowboy Back.

 

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