Boone: Five Predictions for OSU’s Summer Recruiting Efforts

Oklahoma State’s 2019 recruiting class is trailing well behind its normal pace for this time of year. In previous years, OSU typically begins the cycle fast and furious, building up a top-3 class in the league before trailing off towards signing day.

This cycle, however, OSU’s class ranks in the bottom half of the Big 12.

The good news is that there are some big fish still on the grill waiting to be flipped. The bad news is that those big fish I speak of aren’t all trending OSU’s direction.

Let’s look at how I see things shaking out in May and into the summer with five predictions for OSU’s crooting efforts on the gridiron.

1. Dax Hill will hold out through the fall

If you’re seeking clarity on Dax Hill’s college decision, I expect there may not be any soon. The five-star safety from Booker T. Washington (and brother of OSU running back Justice Hill) is likely holding out for the fall.

In a conversation with KJRH’s Cayden McFarland and Ruben Diaz this past week, Hill indicated he likely plans to take all five official visits before making a decision. Unless he does that during the summer, when it’s rare prospects of his caliber make officials, then I expect those visits come during the fall and a decision comes before the December signing period.

2. Javasia Brunson commits

OSU is trending for a number of defensive linemen in the 2019 class, not the least of which includes three-star defensive end Javasia Brunson out of Lufkin, Texas. I suspect it’s only a matter of time before he pulls the trigger and calls himself a Cowboy.

That decision could bode well for OSU as it relates to his blue-chip teammate, defensive tackle Carl Williams, who is also a major target for OSU in the 2019 class.

3. Grant Gunnell commits to OSU …

Four-star QB Grant Gunnell was all Oklahoma State’s for a short period earlier this spring, but multiple visits to Buckeye land in Columbus has him trending towards the scarlet and gray.

At this point, I think OSU’s chances are pretty dire. Though OSU continues to keep him on their target list, I think Gunnell to the other OSU is a done deal.

4. OSU lands a QB for 2020 before 2019

It’s going to be .. difficult … to land a QB this recruiting cycle. With Spencer Sanders coming in, I think it could scare prospects away to look elsewhere. But 2020? That department is flooding with prospects, and there’s been two different offers in that classification this week alone to Deuce Hogan (!!!) and TJ Finley.

With OSU getting a fast start in 2020 by landing cornerback Jabbar Muhammad and offensive linemen Eli Russ, I get the feeling that, somehow, the 2020 class has more momentum than the current 2019 cycle right now. Things could really take off if they land a signal-caller.

5. OSU’s recruiting class finishes outside the top half in the Big 12

Kyle Porter recently took a look at the four-year recruiting class average for title-winning teams to try and set out to answer whether or not OSU, which is average at best in the department, could buck the trend and play (win?) a natty.

The results were not great but most surprising of all was the recent trend of OSU on the crooting trail. Since 2010, here’s a look at where OSU’s class has stacked up in the Big 12 according to 247Sports.

2010: 5

2011: 4

2012: 6

2013: 5

2014: 4

2015: 7

2016: 7

2017: 4

2018: 5

2019: ??

And here’s a look at the national finish for OSU since 2008. The odds are pretty high this class finishes fifth or lower.