Meet the Newbie: Sean Michael Flanagan Has Head Start at Position of Need for OSU

We’re continuing our look at some of the fresh faces ready to make their mark in Stillwater this fall. We kicked things off with a big prospect in Hunter Anthony, now let’s continue with a big-time talent that spurned his home-state school to play at OSU.

His Road to Stillwater

Sean Michael Flanagan came to Stillwater by way of Charleston High School in Charleston, Arkansas where the three-star prospect shined on all three sides of the ball and at several positions. Playing wide receiver, running back, cornerback and safety, Flanagan earned offers from 10 schools including Missouri, Memphis, Kansas and his in-state Arkansas where he was originally committed.

Flanagan, the highest-rated defensive prospect of OSU’s 2018 class, took a last minute push to get Flanagan to completely reconsider his Razorback pledge. He did, though, and committed to Oklahoma State two days prior to the early signing period.

His Role in 2018

The Cowboys lost a lot at the safety position this offseason including both starters in Tre Flowers and Ramon Richards. In fact, Oklahoma State returns zero starts at safety and only two upperclassmen — Za’Carrius Green and Chance Cook, two juniors who have seen the majority of their reps on special teams.

So the door is open for someone like Flanagan to stick his foot in if he can impress his (and OSU’s) new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. And being that Flanagan was one of five early enrollees this past spring, he should already have a head start on building his case as an early contributor on a rebuilding safety depth chart.

What he Brings

Aside from the above-mentioned versatility, Flanagan brings a bit of an it factor. During his senior season (playing in all three phases), he led his team with 1,476 all-purpose yards 20 touchdowns (12 receiving, six rushing and two on kick returns). As a defender, he tallied 70 tackles, two INTs and a sack from Charleston’s secondary.

At the start of spring, Flanagan was already up to 195 pounds from his reported prep weight of 181 and with a 6-foot-2 frame he’s got more room to grow. Flanagan has the all the tools and physical traits needed to be a long-term starter in OSU’s secondary.