Oklahoma State Defensive Tackle Justin Kirkland Enters Transfer Portal

The Cowboys have added a lot to their defensive front via the portal this offseason, but while the portal giveth, it has now taketh.

Justin Kirkland hit the portal as a grad transfer on Monday, according to reports from On3’s Pete Nakos and 247Sports’ Chris Hummer. Listed at 6-foot-3, 335 pounds, Kirkland played in all 26 of the Cowboys games during the past two seasons, where he recorded 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a sack.

“Oklahoma State has truly been one of the biggest blessings in my life,” Kirkland wrote in an X post. “From the moment I arrived in Stillwater, I was welcomed with open arms by the fans, my teammates, and the entire OSU community. …

“This decision was not easy, and it does not change the love and pride I have for Oklahoma State. Cowboy nation, thank you for everything. I will always be proud to say I was a Cowboy, and Stillwater will always feel like home.”

Kirkland joined the Cowboys after spending his freshman season at Utah Tech. That came after Kirkland, who is from West Haven, Utah, went on a religious mission out of high school.

In his first season with the Cowboys in 2023, Kirkland made six starts and finished the year with 22 tackles and three tackles for loss. He made one start this past season and made had 18 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a sack on the year.

As far as defensive tackles go, Kirkland was a bit of a fan favorite in Stillwater given his size and interesting tidbits like how he played tennis in high school.

It’s not an ideal loss for the Pokes, but OSU’s new staff has done a good job at recruiting along the defensive line in the portal this offseason. Just here recently, the Cowboys added Vanderbilt transfer De’Marion Thomas, a 6-2, 334-pound defensive tackle who started all 13 of the Commodores’ games in 2024. OSU added 6-2, 300-pound Sitiveni Havili Kaufusi from UCLA this offseason after he made three starts from the Bruins this past season. And the Cowboys also landed in the 6-4, 292-pound Michael Diatta from Virginia. Iman Oates is also set to return to Stillwater after starting all 12 of the Cowboys’ games in 2024.