Five Bold Predictions for Oklahoma State Recruiting in 2018

Oklahoma State’s slim 2018 recruiting class has quickly ballooned to double digits over the last month, adding the likes of four-star wide receiver CJ Moore along with key offensive line pieces in Tyrese Williams, Bryce Bray and Hunter Woodard.

The recruiting class currently ranks second in the Big 12 according to 247sports and, unlike other cycles, OSU is well-equipped to continue its recruiting steam with feelers out to big-time recruits and plenty of scholarship space to make things happen before signing day.

So with that, I’ve got five bold predictions for the 2018 recruiting cycle. No inside knowledge. No sourced information. Just straight up predictions based on my feel of the recruiting beat that may or may not come to fruition.

Remember, they’re bold. So let’s live dream a little.

Bold prediction: Darrell Simpson will commit to Oklahoma State

OSU’s offensive line haul for 2018 has been more than impressive already, as Josh Henson has reeled in some studs and sleepers in his short tenure already. And I don’t think he’s done working his magic.

Darrell Simpson, a top-150 national recruit, will be a Cowboy. He’s a four-star offensive tackle who, unlike most high school prospects, could likely play right away in Stillwater. He was born in Stillwater and has family ties to the school. It all makes sense that OSU could be an unlikely winner in his recruitment.

I think he spurns offers from Oklahoma, LSU, Ohio State and Texas A&M to become the highest-rated offensive lineman to ever commit to OSU in the Gundy era. And the highest rated offensive linemen ever to commit to OSU since recruiting services were available.

Bold prediction: Oklahoma State will add a graduate transfer quarterback

After winning the Heisman Trophy, Mason Rudolph will be off to the NFL. That leaves Keondre Wudtee, Jelani Woods, and incoming superstar Spencer Sanders among the candidates to fill his shoes next season.

While all three are talented prospects, barring any major injuries that we won’t even mention the possibility of, none will be proven at the Division I level after this season. That could force OSU to pursue the graduate transfer market for a super-senior looking to play out a final season in college.

Recruiting them won’t be hard given the talent pool at wide receiver. So whoever they add, he might even see the field in 2018 — but more importantly, he’ll be able to show the young guys the ropes as they develop as passers.

Bold prediction: All four offensive line commits will remain committed

And one more might be on the way if prediction No. 1 comes true.

Under Greg Adkins, the problem was never in landing recruits. It was about holding on to them until signing day. With Henson at the helm, I think he’ll keep his guys locked down until they become Cowboys. There will be no de-committments, at least not along the offensive line, in this cycle.

Bold prediction: Kansas will finish with a higher-rated 2018 class

Yes, I’m very sorry to report that the Kansas Jayhawks recruiting class will be ranked higher than OSU this cycle.

It’s not an indictment on OSU, however, but more of a praise for Kansas and its coaching staff, which have already landed two four-star commitments this cycle.

Tell me that’s not a big accomplishment and I’ll show you KU’s overall record since 2010.

• 2010: 3-9
• 2011: 2-10
• 2012: 1-11
• 2013: 3-9
• 2014: 3-9
• 2015: 0-12
• 2016: 2-10

Plus, Kansas beat Texas in football. We’ll never forget it.

Bold prediction: Nic McTear will not be a Cowboy

One of OSU’s under-the-radar commitments at tight end won’t be a Cowboy when it’s all said and done. Nic McTear, a 6-foot-4 pass catcher from Frisco, Texas, has picked up offers from LSU, Auburn, Miami, TCU, Colorado and Baylor since committing to OSU early in the process.

I think he winds up flipping to Baylor, TCU or any of the likes closer to home before signing day. He committed early in the process and will have a change of heart, leaving OSU with a late-process scramble to pick up a tight end again.