Parker Robertson’s New Role with Oklahoma State Exceeded Every Expectation

STILLWATER — To say Oklahoma State former walk-on Parker Robertson is living out his dreams with the Cowboys during his first spring camp on scholarship would be a lie.

The fifth-year safety from Rockwall, Texas, never even thought to aim this high when he arrived in Stillwater.

“(High school) Parker would be so surprised,” Robertson said. “I can’t even imagine being in this position. Like out of high school, I couldn’t even dream of being here. Because I didn’t even really know if I was going to continue playing.”

Robertson distinguished himself as a special teams leader in 2023, leading to the scholarship he received last May. Then, at BYU in the fall, he got his first start and remained active in the secondary rotation for most of the five following games in 2024.

When the Cowboys take the field on Saturday for the Orange and White Game, Robertson will be one of the most familiar faces in the secondary. Of the 12 safeties on Oklahoma State’s roster this spring, Robertson is one of only three that saw significant snaps for the Cowboys last season.

He’s also the team’s top returning tackler after finishing fourth in 2024 with 49 total.

“I have more of a role on the team this year,” Robertson said. “It’s not just a special teams role. It’s a special teams and a defensive role. So, being one of the older guys and one of the guys that’s been on the team for five years is a leadership position this year. So, it feels like I have to step up and set the example for some of the new guys coming in.”

Of course, Robertson seems destined to be one of the last great walk-on stories, considering college athletics plans to do away with walk-ons entirely this offseason. 

“Luckily, I got to walk on,” Robertson said. “That’s why I’m sad that the walk-on program is like being turned down. Now it’s just going to the 105 (roster limit). Because that would have been me, I wouldn’t have had the chance, and now, five years later, I’m a leader on the team.”

Robertson, like many collegiate athletes and coaches, said he hopes that the new roster limits expected to be imposed this offseason will allow current walk-ons to finish their careers. 

Earlier this month, Yahoo senior college football reporter Ross Dellenger reported that the judge overseeing the settlement expected to reshape college athletics expressed a desire for existing walk-ons to be grandfathered into the new system.

On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that no such changes have occurred, leaving several current Cowboys in danger of losing their spot on the team at some point before the 2025 season begins.

“It is very weird because, like, some of our closest friends on the teams are walk-ons,” Robertson said. “Like, that’s what Oklahoma State is for, is walk-ons. Like, we are just a Cowboy culture. … And it’s hard playing football players, and (they) just might not have got the recognition out of high school, but their talent is just the same. They just didn’t get that much recognition. So, I mean, it’s very sad, like, I see it going away. I wish they would reverse it, or at least, like grandfather in some of the players that are already here and not just have, like, a sharp cut off and just say, like, oh, you’re gone.”