Three-Star Edge Rusher Landon Bland Commits to Oklahoma State

The Cowboys have a third pledge in their 2026 recruiting class, with this one coming from the Show-Me State.

Landon Bland, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge rusher from Carthage, Missouri, announced his commitment to Oklahoma State on Friday over offers from Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas State, Iowa State, Kansas, Illinois and others. Bland announced the decision via his Instagram. He’s the No. 747 player in the 247Sports Composite rankings for the class, making Bland a top 70 edge rusher and a top 10 player in the state of Missouri.

#GoPokes @CowboyFB @CoachGundy @CoachRyanOsborn @Garywalker96 @DJLinton2
Thank for all the coaches believing in me‼️
Big shout out to @CoachMikeShafer for all the help‼️@carthagefball pic.twitter.com/4QMrvjEypJ

— Landon Bland (@LandonBland04) March 14, 2025

Bland announced his OSU offer in January, and from then, the OSU staff seemingly put the full-court press on. Later, in January, Todd Bradford, OSU’s director of football recruiting, was in Carthage posing alongside Bland. About a week later, Mike Gundy made the trip out to see the edge rusher. Bland also set an official visit to Stillwater for April 25.

Bland’s Carthage Tigers went 9-2 in his junior season, making it to the third round of the Missouri Class 5 state playoffs. He also plays tight end for the Tigers. Something that stands out about his highlights is his effort. If a run play goes the other way and finds a crease, Bland runs ball carriers down from across the field.

Whether it be through the high school ranks or the portal, the Cowboys have been recruiting Missouri a little bit more as of late. OSU got jumbo defensive back Cameron Epps in the 2022 cycle and added Jacobi Oliphant (another jumbo DB) in the 2024 class, both from St. Louis. Two of OSU’s incoming transfers are also from Missouri in junior college outside linebacker Chandavian Bradley (Kansas City) and LSU transfer corner JK Johnson (St. Louis).

Joining Pearland, Texas edge rusher Jaylen Stewart and Berryhill offensive lineman Aiden Martin, Bland is the third commitment in the Cowboys’ 2026 class. Stewart was the first commitment, announcing his pledge Feb. 20 before Martin committed on Monday.