Recruiting Roundup: Standout 2026 Defensive Prospects Announce Oklahoma State Offers

With the spring semester drawing near and the portal hubbub perhaps slowing down a tad, the Cowboys’ new-look staff has been hard at work evaluating high school prospects.

Oklahoma State’s defensive staff has issued a handful of offers to 2026 commits over the past week or so. Here is a roundup.

Yahya Gaad, Edge, 2026

Out of South Gibson High School in Medina, Tennessee, Yahya Gaad announced that he picked up an offer from the Pokes after talking with new defensive line coach Ryan Osborn.

Gaad made 50 tackles as a junior, according to MaxPreps, including a ridiculous 29 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also was credited with 18 rushing attempts for 82 yards and a score in his junior season.

Listed at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Gaad already has an impressive offer list that includes Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, Florida State, Kentucky, Arizona and others.

Jakore Smith, Linebacker, 2026

Jakore Smith, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound linebacker from Little Rock, Arkansas, is already considered a gem in the 2026 class. 247Sports lists him as a four-star prospect and the No. 198 player in the country.

The Cowboys will face some stiff competition for Smith, as he’s already announced offers to Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee and others. He plays at Parkview Magnet High School in Little Rock, helping the Patriots to a 13-1 record and an Arkansas 5A state title in 2024.

Hudson Woods, Edge, 2026

A 6-foot-3, 220-pound edge rusher from the San Antonio area, Hudson Woods announced OSU has his 12th Division-I offer, as the Pokes joined OU, TCU, Kansas State, Baylor, SMU and others after his services.

Playing at Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas (north of San Antonio), Woods won a Texas 5A-1 state title as a junior. His team went 14-2 on the year.

Jaimeon Winfield, Defensive Line, 2026

Jaimeon Winfield is the No. 64 player in the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. Out of Richardson, Texas, Winfield has already announced offers to Texas, USC, Michigan, Miami, LSU and others.

Listed at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, Winfield made 45 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks for Richardson High School as a junior. Enjoy some of the most fun defensive tackle highlights I’ve seen in a while.

Landen Anderson, Edge, 2026

Oklahoma State has had a lot of success with edge rushers out of Edmond Santa Fe over recent years — going form Calvin Bundage to Trace Ford to Collin Oliver. Could Landen Anderson be next?

Listed at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Anderson has also announced offers to Kansas, Iowa State and UNLV. MaxPreps credited Anderson with 83 tackles as a junior, including 11 tackles for loss and a sack. He also caught a 25-yard pass as a tight end.

J’Vari Flowers, Defensive Back, 2026

Out of Miami, Florida, J’Vari Flowers is the No. 74 player in the 2026 247Sports Composite ranking. Not only is he a decorated football player, but he was also the Florida 3A state champion in the 100-meter dash as a sophomore. Last May, he had a verified 100-meter time of 10.43.

Listed at 5-11, 165 pounds, Flowers plays at Northwestern High in Miami. His Bulls went 12-2 this past season, winning a state title. Flowers’ speed also makes him a threat in the return game, evident by these highlights.

Along with his OSU offer, Flowers has announced offers to Florida, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee and others.

Carter Gooden, Defensive End, 2026

Out of Tabor Academy in Massachusetts, Carter Gooden is a 6-5, 250-pound defensive end. Rivals considers him a four-star prospect and the top player in Massachusetts.

OSU joined the likes of West Virginia, Michigan State, Syracuse, Kentucky and Boston College as programs that have offered Gooden.

Jaylen Stewart, Defensive End, 2026

Out of Pearland, Texas, Jaylen Stewart made 57 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a high school junior this past season. He also had six carries for 78 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield.

Listed at 6-2, 230, Stewart is the No. 429 player in the 247Sports Composite ranking. He has also announced offers to USC, Auburn, Baylor, Utah, SMU and others.

Landon Bland, Defensive End, 2026

Out of Carthage, Missouri, Landon Bland is listed at 6-4, 230 pounds. 247Sports lists him as the No. 44 edge rusher in the 2026 class and the No. 5 player from Missouri.

Along with his OSU offer, Bland has announced offers to Michigan, Kansas State, Nebraska, Wisconsin and others.

Braxton Lindsey, Linebacker, 2026

A 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker out of Rogers High in Arkansas, Braxton Lindsey has also announced offers to Baylor, BYU, Duke, Michigan State, Stanford and others.

He’s quite the athlete. Not only does he star at linebacker, but his high school team uses him all over the field on offense. His Hudl highlights show him lining up in the backfield, split out and in a more traditional tight end position. He also plays basketball at Rogers.