Oklahoma State Linebacker Donovan Stephens Enters Transfer Portal

Mere days before the transfer portal is set to close, a Cowboy finally entered.

Donovan Stephens entered the portal on Monday, according to 247Sports’ McClain Baxley. Stephens then confirmed the news himself via X. Out of Del City, Stephens is a redshirt-junior linebacker who made 10 tackles last season, including two tackles for loss and a half sack. The portal closes on Wednesday.

Stephens came to OSU as a three-star prospect. He was the No. 808 player in the 2021 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite ranking. He picked OSU over offers from Baylor, Texas Tech, Boise State, Hawaii and others.

He took a redshirt in 2021 before taking part of all 13 of the Cowboys’ games in 2022, primarily as a special teamer.

Stephens played in 10 games in 2023, recording four of his tackles in the Big 12 title game against Texas. His half sack came against Central Arkansas. He had a tackle for loss against UCF and another half tackle for loss against Arizona State.

Nick Martin had a breakout season at the linebacker position for OSU this past season, piling up 140 tackles. Martin and Stephens were part of the same recruiting class. The Cowboys seem fairly deep at the position group as things stand. Collin Oliver is listed as a linebacker but could spend more time closer to the line of scrimmage in 2024. The group also has Justin Wright, who missed most of last season with injury after transferring from Tulsa.

Jeff Roberson, Gabe Brown and Poasa Utu are also linebackers who have shown flashes earlier in their careers, and OSU coach Mike Gundy said this spring that safety Kendal Daniels could spend some time closer to the line of scrimmage in 2024.

Stephens is the first OSU player to hit the portal in this window, which is rather impressive from OSU given the modern landscape of college athletics.