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Collin Oliver Gives OSU one of Highest-Rated Linebacker Commitments Ever

This really puts in perspective how big a deal Oliver is for OSU.

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It’s not hyperbole to say that the addition of linebacker recruit Collin Oliver on Friday gives Oklahoma State one of its most highly touted prospects at the position ever.

Oliver, a four-star recruit from Santa Fe High School in Edmond, rates as the fourth-highest linebacker recruit for OSU since recruiting rankings were established in the early 2000s. A listed inside linebacker, he’s the second-highest rated at that specific alignment behind only the inimitable Caleb Lavey, and fourth at the general linebacker slot. (Per 247Sports data.)

Class Position Name 247Composite Rating
2010 OLB Shaun Lewis 94.84
2014 OLB Gyasi Akem 91.63
2010 ILB Caleb Lavey 89.04
2021 ILB Collin Oliver 89.01
2012 OLB Seth Jacobs 88.42
2011 ILB Ryan Simmons 87.78

But there’s a catch: Oliver isn’t exactly an inside linebacker despite that being his official designation at 247. Rivals has it more accurate in their listing of him as an outside linebacker, but his true position is going to be as a hybrid OLB/DE. Essentially, he’ll play the role of Trace Ford as a specialized edge rusher who can play multiple positions.

“They’re going to put me in that hybrid linebacker/defensive end position – the one Trace Ford is playing,” he told PFB this week. “It’s a perfect position for me and where I see myself in the future.”

So let’s factor that into our rankings where he stands among all linebacker and defensive end recruits in OSU history. He’s a bit lower down on the list, but nonetheless he finds himself on a pretty impressive short list of elite talents that have come through OSU over the years.

Class Position Name 247Composite Rating
2007 SDE Richetti Jones 97.86
2010 OLB Shaun Lewis 94.84
2006 SDE Derek Burton 93.76
2004 WDE Nathan Peterson 92.22
2014 OLB Gyasi Akem 91.63
2005 SDE Ryan McBean 90.00
2013 SDE Naim Mustafaa 89.59
2006 WDE Ugo Chinasa 89.38
2010 ILB Caleb Lavey 89.04
2021 ILB Collin Oliver 89.01
2019 WDE Trace Ford 88.97
2012 OLB Seth Jacobs 88.42
2011 ILB Ryan Simmons 87.78

It helps put into perspective just how big a deal adding a talent like Oliver is. This all comes, of course, with the obvious caveat: Oliver is not officially a Cowboy until he signs on the dotted line. Verbal commitments are non-binding and, as we saw in the case of in-state linebacker standout Brynden Walker last year, they’re easy to get out of. Walker committed to OSU before signing with OU — and the same happened in 2017 with in-state linebacker Levi Draper. It happens.

But for now Oliver is OSU-bound barring a change in heart or circumstance, and it’s a huge win for Oklahoma State in its ongoing efforts to keep the top talents in the state close to home.

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