How OSU Can Bounce Back from Billy: Four Edge Recruits to Watch in Wake of Walton’s Decommitment

OSU lost a commitment this week from edge rusher Billy Walton, who quickly flipped his allegiance to Texas following an official visit to Austin.

But OSU has many irons in the fire to potentially replace him in the 2023 class — even if so far none of them have jumped on board. OSU’s nine-man class is comprised mostly of defensive linemen, offensive weapons and linebackers, but edge could — and likely will be — a new priority with the latest developments.

Here’s how OSU can bounce back from losing Billy with a look at several current targets on the board.

1. Taje McCoy, 6-3, 245: This one feels like a very realistic possibility. McCoy is a standout from Putnam City in OKC. OSU has already offered, and so far its biggest contenders are Baylor, K-State, Kansas and Iowa State.

2. Tre Williams, 6-1, 216: A Dallas standout from Parish Episcopal, Williams is sifting through several dozen options — among them OSU, Stanford, Louisville, Arizona State and others. It won’t be an easy get for the Pokes, especially contending against a school in Stanford that has done well recruiting DFW in recent years. (Williams, by the way, also plays lacrosse, so you just know that Mike Gundy’s in love with this kid’s versatility. The man loves nothing if not for two things: dual-sport athletes and butch wax.)

3. Keviyan Huddleston, 6-4, 235: Huddleston was offered by OSU earlier this year, so this one feels a little up in the air right now. TCU and Arkansas are among the major names in contention here, but the early OSU offer back in February could help.

4. Matthew Fobbs-White, 6-3, 230: OSU was Fobbs-White’s second D1 offer last year just days after Baylor became No. 1 on the list. That, in the past, has helped OSU land recruits — simply by believing in them early. We’ll see if that’s the case here with Fobbs-White, who now has SMU, Baylor, Memphis and La. Tech all to consider right now, as well. LSU not being in the mix (for now) makes me cautiously optimistic that the Pokes have a shot here.