Appalachian State Offensive Tackle Transfer Markell Samuel Commits to Oklahoma State

The Cowboys’ staff continues to work the transfer portal, this time bringing in a 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive tackle from the Sun Belt.

Appalachian State transfer Markell Samuel committed to Oklahoma State on Tuesday. He started 15 games at left tackle for the Mountaineers over the past two seasons and picked up an All-Sun Belt honorable mention this past season. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

Samuel took part in 820 snaps this past season, according to Pro Football Focus, where Samuel allowed five sacks. He started all 11 of App State’s games last season and registered the second-most snaps among Sun Belt tackles.

Samuel’s college career started on the defensive side of the ball. Recruiting services listed him as an outside linebacker or a defensive end in the 2020 class. The 247Sports Composite ranking had him as the No. 1,735 player in the class. He committed to App State over offers from Cincinnati, Charlotte, James Madison and others.

He played in one game as a true freshman as a defensive lineman. He played another game as a defender in 2021 before moving to the offensive line in fall camp of the 2022 season. He played in two games that year, both at right tackle.

Samuel played in all 14 of App State’s games in the 2023 season, making four starts at left tackle. In 559 snaps that season, Samuel allowed two sacks.

The Cowboys have had to rebuild their offensive line almost entirely this offseason after graduating many starters and losing Isaia Glass to the portal. OSU grabbed four linemen during the initial portal window in Kasen Carpenter (Tulsa), Lavaka Taukeiaho (Weber State), Louie Canepa (New Mexico State) and Tyler Brumfield (Snow College).

The Cowboys have stayed active in the transfer market this spring, also picking up commitments from running back Freddie Brock (Georgia State), wide receiver Cameron Abshire (D-II) and wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick (Marshall).