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Grading Oklahoma State’s 2018 Recruiting Class

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Oklahoma State signed 22 players to its program as part of its 2018 recruiting class on Wednesday. With each committed player signing their letter of intent, the Cowboy coaching staff can now turn their attention to 2019 — oh, and bowl prep — as they enter the new year with only one or two remaining slots.

With the class all but finished, let’s hand out grades thus far at where each position ranks.

Wide receiver: A

Any class that features a talent the likes of C.J. Moore is going to get an A. The 6-foot-5 receiver from Tulsa Union is the eleventh-highest ranked prospect to ever sign with OSU, and he’s got the talent to usurp his cousin Tracy in the pantheon of OSU greats at the position.

Throw in under-the-radar Jonathan Shepherd — yes, another 6-foot-4 talent — and it’s hard not to like what Kasey Dunn and his secret formula have crafted.

Quarterback: A+

Mike Gundy was all but drooling on Wednesday discussing Spencer Sanders, the four-star talent from Denton Ryan who many believe will start in 2018.

Gundy says he loves Sanders because, although he’s labeled as a dual-threat, he thinks he’s a traditional pocket passer who can run the ball — and there’s a difference. He’s the most versatile talent in this class and the future of Oklahoma State. A+ pull for Mikey Y.

Running back: C

OSU had a chance to improve this grade but missed on Lyn-J Dixon on signing day. With one commitment in the class from San Antonio’s Jahmyl Jeter, the Pokes get a C — simply because it could have been two commitments instead of one.

Jeter’s the real deal though, and should be an intriguing prospect entering a situation where he won’t be required to contribute from day one.

Cornerback: B

Oklahoma State boosted its cornerback class big-time with a last-minute addition of former Arkansas pledge Tanner McCalister, giving the Pokes a bonafide stud at the position alongside Steele’s JayVeon Cardwell.

Coppell athlete Gabe Lemons is another corner who has some upside, but will need time to grow and develop. Overall though, love this bunch of talent. Cardwell and McCalister are future starters.

Safety: B

Sean Michael Flanagan’s last-minute flip from Arky to OSU was a major grab, giving OSU a lanky 6-foot-1 talent to come in and compete as an early enrollee. He’s the headliner, but this is one of the deepest talent pools in the class that also features Jarrick Bernard, Kanion Williams and Oklahoma native Jason Taylor. They missed on some bigger names early in the process, but hard not to like this group on the whole.

Offensive line: A+

Josh Henson gets an A+ with extra stickers and a hand-written letter thanking him for his accomplishments. This is the most intriguing O-line class I’ve seen OSU haul in, and with three Oklahoma area standouts (Bryce Bray, Hunter Anthony and Jacob Farrell), I think this bunch is going to develop into some nasty war pigs up front. Tyrese Williams is a sleeper contender to be OSU’s starting center early, and Hunter Woodard is an intriguing prospect.

Defensive tackle: F

The only tackle OSU was expected to bring in flipped his pledge to Colorado a day before signing day. Not great!

Defensive end: B

OSU’s d-end group is plenty talented, but I don’t expect any to be factors from day one. Sachse standout Tyler Lacy, though, has as much upside as any in the class, and JUCO transfer Michael Scott has the proven production to contribute as a man in the rotation. Westlake’s Braden Cassity will be a good one in a few years.

Linebacker: C

Blake Barron is an inside linebacker Gundy says he believes will slot in at the SAM position, and Kolby Peel — a traditional safety — will move down into the box as an outside backer. Both have talent to play Division I football, however both are somewhat developmental pieces who will need a long leash to grow into their bodies.

Tight end: C

JUCO transfer Jake Ross should be able to slot in early as a pass-catcher, and at 6-foot-7, I’ve already imagined him catching passes from Spencer Sanders running across the middle of defenses. The former hoops star from Coweta has good hands and will be OSU’s best pass-catching tight end since Jarwin.

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