Isaiah Nwokobia Picks SMU Over OSU, But OSU in Good Position at Safety in 2021

The 2021 recruiting class could be a dandy at safety, but Friday was a missed opportunity for OSU as three-star recruit Isaiah Nwokobia — a 6-foot, 190-pound athlete from Skyline High School in Texas — committed to SMU over OSU, Missouri, Nebraska and a few other major programs.

Nwokobia cited his desire to stay home as the key reason for his SMU pledge. His high school is in the shadows of SMU in Dallas.

OSU appears to still be in good shape at the safety position in the 2021 class overall despite Nwokobia’s Ponies pledge. Three-star in-state safety Ty Williams committed last month, and the irons in the fire remain promising. Here’s a look at the names on the radar for the cycle and who OSU is still in a good spot with.

1. Kendal Daniels | 6-4, 190 | ????

For my money, Kendal Daniels, a big-bodied, cover-all safety from Beggs (Okla.), is the best prospect in the state. Period. He’s long, rangy and has great cover skills. He moves with the speed of Tre Flowers. OSU was one of the first to offer him in early 2019 but faces a challenge recruiting up against Alabama, OU, USC and a handful of other bluebloods.

2. CJ Baskerville | 6-2, 180 | ???

Oklahoma State has familiarity with Baskerville after targeting his former school, Katy, in recent recruiting cycles. In fact in recent years OSU has pulled commitments from Katy like Deondrick Glass and Cole Birmingham. Baskerville now plays at North Richland Hills, where OSU has targeted players like DaShaun White (now at OU). Right now OSU sits in a good spot with Baskerville to ensure he becomes White’s college rival. OSU is up against Duke, Kansas, Syracuse and other small schools right now.

3. Jeffrey Bassa | 6-1, 198 | ???

OSU took a commitment from a Utah safety last cycle in Nicolas Sessions, and Bassa could make it two straight cycles. The Salt Lake City native holds offers from Louisville, Baylor, Arizona State and Oregon. He visited OSU in January