2020 Forecast: What OSU’s Recruiting Class Might Look Like on Defense

OSU’s 2019 recruiting class was top-heavy with big name recruits on offense — Grayson Boomer, Deondrick Glass, Langston Anderson among them.

OSU’s 2020 recruiting class needs to be the opposite.

With linebacker depth drying up and the defensive line needing an injection of talent and youth, the coaching staff will be hard at it making sure those positions are addressed this cycle and in shape to flourish for seasons to come.

So just as we did Monday looking at who *might* take up the scholarship spots in OSU’s recruiting class on offense, we’re back today to look at the same scenario on defense.

Defensive line

Grant Mahon, 6-4, 260 pounds, DT: Mahon was an early pledge who committed last summer, just prior to a season-ending fracture in his L5 vertebra. The injury cut out his junior season, but also cut out potential buzz from other programs looking to swoop in and steal him. He’s going to be an under-the-radar catch who we’ll wonder how OSU snagged in two or three seasons.

There may be at least one more take to be had in the class at DT, but for now, the focus is on complementing Mahon with an edge-rusher. The Pokes are in the mix for four-stars James Sylvester and Prince Dorbah, two Texas standouts from Newton and Highland Park, respectively. Missouri product Jalen Logan-Redding is another to watch here. To this point, though, there’s no one on commitment watch that suggests OSU is primed to land one of its current offers.

Linebacker

Brynden Walker, 6-2, 220 pounds: Walker is an in-state prospect from Bishop McGuinness who was offered just this past week. His recruitment is still green, but the Pokes are battling here against Iowa State, Memphis, Minnesota and Kansas — for now.

Corey Flagg, 5-10, 210 pounds: OSU was in early on the Flagg show, becoming the second Power Five offer for him earlier this month. His biggest offers are OSU and Texas Tech for now, and at 5-10, I’d be surprised if he blew up nationally due to questions/concerns about his size. That could leave OSU in a favorable spot.

OSU will continue to kick the tires on Josh White, the former OSU pledge who recently decommitted, but I think that ship has probably sailed. Arkansas product Catrell Wallace and Texas product Jaqwondis Burns could all be secondary options the Pokes go after in his stead.

Cornerback

Jabbar Muhammad, 5-10, 165 pounds: Muhammad committed to OSU early in the process. He’s a rising prospect from DeSoto, Texas, a place where OSU has had success recruiting players.

Dontae Manning, 6-0, 175 pounds: Manning recently picked up an OSU offer and visited Stillwater, a good sign for an out of state player. The Missouri standout also holds offers from OU, Nebraska, Tennessee and Iowa State.

Safety

Myles Slusher, 6-0, 181 pounds: Slusher will have his pick of the litter when his commitment time comes. Alabama, OU, Oregon, OSU, Arkansas have all offered — and he has two dozen opportunities in total. Call it a hunch, but I think the Pokes have a 50/50 shot of stealing him out of Broken Arrow. One of the very best prospects in the state. Projects as a safety/corner at the next level.