Breaking Down Oklahoma State’s Options at Cornerback for 2016

Oklahoma State is set to lose two cornerbacks this year who were big-time contributors for the 2015 season. All Big 12 cornerback Kevin Peterson and graduate transfer Michael Hunter are both moving on due to expired eligibility, leaving a question mark at the cornerback with just two experienced players in Ashton Lampkin and Ramon Richards returning along with a handful of defensive backs already on the roster. The 2016 recruiting class has been focused on several positions, namely offensive line – but the cornerback position has also been a major focal point with the coaches. Here’s an early look at who OSU is bringing in as new blood for the 2016 season.

Malik Kearse – 6-0, 180 pounds (Fort Scott C.C.)

Kearse is one of two early enrollees at the cornerback position for the Cowboys. He brings experience after playing at the junior college level for Fort Scott C.C., and was one of the early commitments in the 2016 recruiting class. Kearse is a rangy defensive back with excellent cover skills who flew under the radar and was forced to go the junior college route due to a late injury and missing his senior season of high school. Kearse tells Scout he is confident that OSU’s system will be a good fit for him.

“I want to play in a man-to-man, cover 2 concept and that’s what they run,” he stated about the Cowboys. “It’s what I like best. I can play any coverage but that style is what I like the most and suits my game the best.”

Madre Harper – 6-3, 170 pounds (Arlington, TX)

Harper is the second early enrollee in the cornerback group, and was a standout player for the Lamar Vikings in high school with big upside as a cornerback. Earlier in the year, he told Scout what Cowboy coaches and fans should expect from him at the next level.

“I think they’re getting a very wiry, you obviously can tell I’m very passionate about the game. I think they’re getting an all-around player. I can go back and play kickoff, kick returns, blocks …  I just want to go back there and make plays and, you know, knock someones head off.”

I like.

Next up: Rodarius Williams – 6-0, 170 pounds (Calvary Baptist Academy, Shrevport, LA)

Rodarius is a long-time commit who is still hearing from other schools recruiting him. He made an official visit this past weekend his brother, Andraez Williams, an LSU commit. Hanging onto his commitment will be key for the 2016 class, and all signs point to him staying on board. For now.

Williams is an extremely talented athlete and track star for Calvary Baptist, a school who consistently churns out Div. I caliber athletes. Williams speed and athleticism will play in his favor, but unlike his other fellow commitments, he isn’t an early enrollee and will be forced to keep himself on pace rather than joining the Rob Glass offseason conditioning program. Even with his later arrival to campus than Harper and Kearse, I still expect him to see the field as a freshman just given the lack of depth at the position.

AJ Green – 6-1, 170 pounds (Desoto High School)

Green is one of two Desoto products joining the program next season along with running back LaDarren Brown. Green has the size of an ideal cornerback and playing at Desoto, he has already seen some elite competition which will have certainly helped him prepare for the next level in Stillwater. He’s a tad lanky (as are most high school prospects), but I think he’s the recruit with the least notoriety who may be the biggest surprise next season.