Big Board: Oklahoma State’s Targets at Safety

The big board series is back this week with a look at OSU’s top targets at the safety spot — a position of major focus for 2018 as the staff again looks to fill the massive void left by Jordan Sterns and eventually by Tre Flowers.

The coaching staff has offers out to athletes across the country, but its major focus is locally in the Oklahoma and Texas area.

Below are five prospects OSU is giving the full court press on in the class.

Quarterback | Running back  | Wide Receiver | Linebacker | Defensive line

Leon O’Neal Jr. — Cy-Springs

Cy-Springs safety standout Leon O’Neal Jr. recently trimmed his list of top schools from from 33 to 12. And it’s a list filled with blue bloods: OSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, USC, TCU, LSU, Florida and OU made that list.

O’Neal’s crystal ball reads 100 percent in favor of Texas A&M, but the Cypress, Texas four-star safety says he’d be willing to move for the right opportunity.

“Staying close to home has been a thought, but then again different things can also be good,” O’Neal told Gridiron Now. “I just want that special feeling you get when you are at a program. I’ve had that feeling with some schools, but I still have a lot of schools that want to get at me and look at me, and I will give them a shot, too.”

OSU has long been in the mix with O’Neal, who is ranked as a top-10 prospect at his position and a top-100 overall recruit. But I get the feeling he’s leaning towards a blueblood, which might push the Aggies out of his list.

“I think deep down, I’m an SEC guy. Then again I’d play for Clemson or an Ohio State or an Oklahoma. There’s a lot of different schools that I can see myself at. I still want to travel this summer and see a lot of different schools. It’s a blessing and a dream come true.”

Taye Barber — Cy-Springs

Barber, a teammate of O’Neal’s, is a quarterback/safety/athlete for Cy-Springs who could play college at a number of positions. Schools at this stage are targeting him at wide receiver, but the dual-threat QB is offered as a safety for OSU — one of two positions he’ll play next season for his high school.

Because his relationship with O’Neal, he says the two have considered packaging themselves to their college destination.

“We think about it from time to time,” Barber told Pistols Firing in the spring. “It would be nice.”

OSU was the first scholarship offer to Barber, who said that sentiment “meant a lot” that OSU was the first school to believe in his abilities. I like OSU’s chances with Barber, who now has 22 offers, more than I do with O’Neal.

Rodney McGraw II — Elkins

OSU was the first major school to take a chance on McGraw, who held offers from Tulane, Texas State, ULM, and UNLV. And to this point, I believe OSU is the leader in the clubhouse. McGraw visited OSU this spring, where he was offered on-site.

If I were to  guess, I’d say McGraw ends up as an OSU commit sooner rather than later. The Cowboys are in a really good position here for the talented safety from Missouri City who recorded three interceptions and 72 tackles as a junior last season.

Kanion Williams — South Oak Cliff

The 2018 class is loaded with Texas talent at the safety position, and Kanion Williams is making his case as one of the tops in the state with his recent run on the recruiting trail. Missouri, Arizona State, Houston, OSU, Arizona, Tulane and Illinois State have all offered since the new year. Five of those within one day.

“Five offers in a day,” Williams told Scout of his March 28th experience. “It was crazy. Oklahoma State officially offered me and then I woke up and they just blew in. I already had three (previously) and then when Oklahoma State offered, I guess the other schools felt like the evaluation process was good and I’ve been getting good news ever since then.”

Look for OSU to continue its recruitment with Williams. Based on his late, meteoric rise, he might string out his recruitment into the fall.

Wayne Jones — Owasso

There are two big-time recruits Bill Blankenship is inheriting in his first season as the Rams head coach: Ohio State commit Josh Proctor and fellow safety Wayne Jones.

Jones is a 6-foot safety who also has offers from K-State, Michigan State, Louisville, Memphis, Illinois and New Mexico. His recruitment has gone cold over the last several months, however, OSU is still the favorite to land his services according to his 247sports crystal ball.

Jones had 56 tackles, 8 pass breakups and 4 interceptions playing in the largest high school classification last season. I expect major schools will again pick up interest this summer and OSU will be battling with the big boys as the fall approaches. Specifically, look for Arkansas to get in the mix.