Oklahoma State Recruiting: Grading the 2018 Secondary Class

Major needs were met for Oklahoma State in the 2018 signing class. From quarterback to offensive line to safety to linebacker, some positions were recruited better than others.

We will inevitably talk more about this class in the spring and down the road, but to put a bow on things in the wake of National Signing Day officially being in the rearview mirror, we’re going to hand out grades for each position group.

First up, it’s the secondary.

Ability to produce right away

To expect any freshmen to play right away — especially at a school like Oklahoma State that has built its program through development and the brainpower of almighty Robert Glass — might be asking too much. But I’m convinced that there are several youngsters in this secondary class that will play as freshman.

Two players I absolutely expect to play right away, likely in reserve roles: cornerbacks Tanner McCalister and JayVeon Cardwell. Both are rangy, talented athletes who will push A.J. Green and Rodarius Williams on the outside and give OSU a wealth of young depth at the position it hasn’t had.

Safety Sean Michael Flanagan is another player I think could be a quality depth piece on the back end of the defense. The rest of the safeties — Kanion Williams, Jarrick Bernard, and Jason Taylor — I expect to redshirt. Same goes for developing cornerback talent Gabe Lemons.

Grade: C+

Long-term potential

Overall I really like this secondary class. Not only did OSU properly address the cornerback spot, but it filled holes at safety with four incoming high school athletes to set OSU up for years to come.

I’m already pretty close to all-in on JayVeon, McCalister and Flanagan. Long-term, I really, really like safeties Kanion Williams and Jason Taylor.

Give me all the 6-foot athletes who played multiple sports in high school! -Gundy, probably

Grade: B+

Addressing needs

Overall this class checked all the boxes for me. Not only are four safeties incoming to help replenish outgoing seniors with youthful talent, but cornerbacks are aplenty.

Gabe Lemons is an intriguing long-term prospect, and McCalister and Cardwell might be the most talented in the secondary. I would’ve liked to see a junior college kid to come in as a safety and another as a corner, though, if only to help stabilize super young units. So for the lack of experience, I’m handing out a slight ding. But overall this was a solid secondary class.

Grade: B