Braylon Rigsby Ready to Use Texas Tech Experience to Become Dominant Force at Oklahoma State

STILLWATER — In his own words, Texas Tech transfer Braylon Rigsby was a “backseat guy” last year.

The defensive tackle entered the portal for the chance to finally be the guy, but even he wasn’t sure how his journey would play out.

“The portal is scary to begin with,” Rigsby said. “You don’t know who’s gonna come after you or whether you’re gonna get anything. … I was more confident selecting this school over anything else.”

He chose Oklahoma State because he had prior relationships with OSU defensive line coaches Ike Eguae, who followed Eric Morris from North Texas, and Mike O’Guin, who coached the D-line at Texas State from 2023-25.

Rigsby wasn’t just some guy. 247Sports ranked him as the 82nd-best defensive lineman coming out of high school, and he was ranked as the 44th-best D-lineman in the portal.

He just got lost in the shuffle as Texas Tech made the transition from occasional conference dark horse to what appears to be the Big 12’s new big bad.

“I don’t regret anything,” Rigsby said. “I enjoyed everything. I learned so much from those guys that left, like (third-round draft pick) Romello Height, (second-round pick) Lee Hunter, (sixth-round pick), (current Red Raider) A.J. Holmes, Skyler Gil-Howard, you know what I mean. I just learned so much from those guys, and I try to take it with me.”

That list didn’t even include No. 2 overall pick David Bailey. With that much talent playing at defensive tackle or on the edge, it’s hard to feel much concern that Rigsby couldn’t crack the rotation.

The 6-3, 283-pound tackle seems very much in the mix for a spot somewhere in Oklahoma State’s two-deep this fall, especially after the praise his teammates offered up at Big 12 Media Days last month.

“I’m definitely excited to show what I can do,” Rigsby said. “Like it’s been a long time coming. I finally feel like it’s there. Like why not go get it? I have the opportunity now. So that’s what I’m chasing.”

He wasn’t the only Red Raider to make the transition to Stillwater this offseason. Risgby said he and cornerback Mo Horn were best friends back at Texas Tech.

“Once I knew Braylon was in the portal, I was like, ‘Man, I’m probably looking at Oklahoma State,’” Horn said. “And then I guess they were looking at him, so I said, ‘Why not, man? Let’s go run it up over there. Keep that relationship we have.’

“That’s like a brother to me, so I’m very excited for what he has to come this season. I’m very excited that he also picked OSU, as well, because I’d hate to play against him.”

Given the national spotlight on the Red Raiders and their eventual journey to the College Football Playoff, Rigsby said Texas Tech players felt the target on their backs.

“You’re targeted most,” he said. “Everyone has their eyes on you. Everyone expects these things of you, and it’s a little pressurizing, but pressure helps build dominance.”

That experience could prove useful if Oklahoma State capitalizes on the expectations that seem to be building around the country. Rigsby said the Cowboys are chasing a great season and not just settling for a good one, and he’s not surprised that is the case.

“With our head coach’s history, he has history of turning programs around,” Rigsby said. “And he wants to do it now. So I kind of expected that coming in, starting with a fresh team and a clean slate.”