Tre Sterling Announces He’ll Return to OSU in 2021

Oklahoma State safety Tre Sterling, a redshirt junior who led the Cowboys defense in tackles for loss and tied for the team lead in interceptions this season, announced shortly after the team’s Cheez-It Bowl win Tuesday night that he will return next season.

“I have been discussing my future in this sport and at this university and have come to a decision,” he said in part. “I will be returning next year to play the 2021 season.”

Sterling had a breakout season of epic proportions anchoring the back end of OSU’s defensive unit. He finished the year with 12 tackles for loss, 74 total tackles and two interceptions. In the Cheez-It Bowl, he posted a team-high 13 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, and accounting for 0.5 sacks in the game as well.

Kolby Harvell-Peel also has a looming decision about his future because he, too, is NFL Draft eligible. He battled injury off and on this season but entered the year as a potential All-American candidate.

Whether Harvell-Peel stays or goes, though, Sterling’s return is a boost to the secondary that, for the most part, will return plenty of experience next season. Tanner McCalister, Sean Michael Flanagan, Jason Taylor and Thomas Harper are all expected back and all have played roles for the defense this season.