2020 Recruits OSU Could Try Prying from Baylor After Rhule’s NFL Leap

Matt Rhule’s jump from Baylor to the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday could leave Oklahoma State — and other talent-needy programs looking to fill holes late in the cycle — in a favorable spot to pry away premium talent.

The Pokes have an 18-man signing class already, one who is set to sign in February, and two traditional transfers — putting OSU at 21 in the incoming class. The maximum allowed by NCAA in a recruiting class is 25.

So could OSU stand to benefit from Baylor’s misfortunes?

Absolutely.

Here are the names I’d keep an eye on and their status. (Note: All four listed below signed their National Letters of Intent in the December signing period. Due to Rhule’s departure, however, they could request a release and would likely be granted approval from the NCAA. As of now, all players remain committed to Baylor and have not requested releases.)

1. James Sylvester, 6-4, 225, DE: OSU has just one incoming DE in the 2020 class (junior college prospect Tyren Irby). It also has a transfer in Collin Clay, who may play inside as opposed to out. So getting Sylvester would be massive — but also pretty unlikely. The four-star pass-rusher held offers from Alabama, OU, Texas, Georgia and others before picking Baylor. If he pulls off from his Bears pledge, OSU would probably be standing in a long line waiting to get his attention.

2. Jahdae Barron, 5-11, 175, CB: Barron committed to TCU early on in the recruiting process before decommitting shortly afterward. OSU could stand to make it a second flip given how much resources it dedicated to him. They were the second Division-I program to extend him an offer and were likely runner-up finishers in his second decision — only to Baylor. He officially visited last summer.

3. Drake Dabney, 6-5, 228, TE: Before OSU landed Quinton Stewart, it had offered Dabney first with an early 2019 offer. And even with Stewart in the fold having committed, getting Dabney wouldn’t be a bad path. With Grayson Boomer’s transfer OSU has two TE spots to theoretically use in this class.

4. Taye McWilliams, 6-1, 202, RB: OSU still doesn’t have a running back in this recruiting class. And even if Chuba Hubbard announces he’ll return to OSU next season, OSU still needs to backfill a spot with Jahmyl Jeter’s transfer (and another for the 2020 cycle). McWilliams wasn’t a big-time name but Baylor, Houston, SMU, Arkansas and Texas offered.