Report: Oklahoma State’s Safety Room Gets Even Thinner, David Kabongo to Enter Transfer Portal

STILLWATER —  Once viewed as a talented, deep safety room, now seems poised to resemble an in-game tryout on Saturday as the Cowboys head to Arizona if reports from On3’s Chris Low are accurate that David Kabongo is entering the transfer portal. According to Pokes Report, Kabongo practiced with the team this week but won’t make the trip to Arizona. So, perhaps there is still hope that Kabongo plays in an OSU uniform again.

Kabongo averaged a 41% share of snaps in the first four games and was tied for seventh this season with 12 total tackles.

He would be the third safety to enter the transfer portal following dismissals of former head coach Mike Gundy and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Starting safety Dylan Smith (89% average snap share) and DeAndre Boykins (eight total snaps this season per PFF) are reportedly in the transfer portal as well.

Boykins, a North Carolina transfer, joined this offseason with 1,074 snaps played and 14 career starts. The Cowboys also lost Miami transfer Zaquan Patterson before the season began for unknown reasons that didn’t sound like health-related concerns based on Gundy’s comments at the time.

Former walk-on Parker Robertson will now be tasked with leading a nine-man safety room that is responsible for manning the STAR position in addition to the back-end positions. One-time Florida Gator Mordecai McDaniel would be in line to start based purely on playing time this season, but the Cowboys will likely rotate a few different guys on Saturday.