For JayVeon Cardwell, Commitment to OSU All About Respect

Steele (Cibolo) cornerback JayVeon Cardwell starred for Jordan Sterns’ alma mater last year as a junior when he netted seven picks and played for a state championship against DeSoto. Cardwell and Steele eventually lost to mighty DeSoto, but Cardwell left with plenty of suitors for his collegiate services.

Cardwell recently committed to Oklahoma State to play cornerback for Tim Duffie and Co. The 3-star corner, and top 150 player in Texas, could be a gem for Mike Gundy’s team into the future as he follows in the footsteps of Sterns, Ryan Simmons and Deionte Noel. He’s the 17th commit in a 2018 class that ranks in the top 15 nationally as of right now.

We talked to him this week to get his thoughts on his future as a college corner, Steele’s chances to return to the state title game and (of course) what he thinks of Mike Gundy’s lettuce. He noted repeatedly how much he liked the respect OSU’s coaches showed him.

On why he chose OSU

“I went to see them for a visit. The coaching staff and all the players I interacted with were very respectful to me as well as my parents. They made me feel like I was a priority for their school. It added to me wanting to go there because they really believed in me that much.”

On playing in the Big 12

“It doesn’t play as big of a factor, but I do like the conference they’re in. The Big 12 builds up a lot of passing. For me as a DB I really love that. Being able to play against spread offenses, that fed into it a little more for me.”

On Including His Parents in the decision

“I wanted to stay close to home so they could see me play. Be able to support me in that nature. They told me to go with whatever makes me happy. I think me choosing Oklahoma State really made them and me happy as well so it was a great decision.”

On Steele’s chances in his final year

Steele returns Cardwell and Caden Sterns (Texas) in the secondary as well as another safety in JT Woods who is committed to Baylor.

“It’s going to look very dominant for us. Our quarterback is very developed. Defense and offense were looking great in spring ball. I wouldn’t expect anything less than us getting back to state and winning it all this year.”

On Jordan Sterns

I didn’t really know Jordan as far as him trying to get me to go there. I’ve always watched him. I loved watching him play at Oklahoma State. I saw the things he did in his senior season before he went pro. There was a lot to take in from that, but I’ve never really had anything to talk with him about at all.”

On his position in college

“I want to be a corner. Coach Duffie told me he’s going to put me all over so I’ll play some inside slot as well, but I think he’s really going to have me on the outside. I’m not really sure but I think that’s what his plans are for me.”

On CB coach Tim Duffie and the other coaches

“All the coaching staff has a laid-back personality. I really enjoyed talking to Coach Duffie. I felt like I could trust him. He’s very respectful. He valued me as a player and treated me differently than I’ve been treated by other coaches. I just really enjoyed that, it was great.”

On keeping in touch with other 2018 commits

“I’m in a group message with the Oklahoma State commits. We talk almost daily just about us being a dominant force for our school. I’m excited to get back up there and meet the new people.”

On who he tries to emulate

“For me it’s Xavier Rhodes (FSU, Minnesota Vikings). A big, physical corner that loves to get hands on in press. I love watching his game. His footwork is phenomenal to me. Just being physical. He’s really physical with his receivers, doesn’t let them do what they want. He controls them. I just really love watching him play.”

On what he needs to work on

“For me I want to work on flexibility, being able to turn more with my hips. Being able to sit down on routes and break on them faster. They’re there, but I want to increase it even more to get those deflections to interceptions.”

On what OSU’s profile is with high schoolers

“Focus on Oklahoma State, UT and OU. Those are really the main three that people talk about. For me Oklahoma State is right up there. They finished second in their conference so they’re a dominant figure in where they’ve been playing, and that’s why they’ve been so successful.”

On his future major

“Sports management, along those lines. Business. I want to be able to coach when I get older if going pro doesn’t actually work out. Being able to coach younger players and help them develop more to get them to where they want to be would also be a great opportunity for me.”

On The Mullet

“Coach Gundy … his hairdo, I love his style. Laid-back personality. He’s really himself. He loves getting the players hyped up and getting everybody on the same page. I can’t wait to play for him. He proved a lot to me. Showed a lot of respect. He’s going to be really fired up about the season, and that’s going to make me want to play for him even more.”