OSU Recruiting Target Micheal Ibukun-Okeyode Hints at Imminent Decision

The NCAA’s decision on Wednesday to extend the recruiting dead period through May amid the pandemic has far-reaching implications that may have an impact on OSU’s 2022 class.

In response to that decision on Wednesday, OSU recruiting target Micheal Ibukun-Okeyode, a 2022 defensive end from Texas who has long been on OSU’s radar after the staff offered him last fall, hinted Thursday morning that it may bump up his commitment timeline.

Because the dead period is once again extended, it means no face-to-face recruiting contacts can be made, so Ibukun-Okeyode seems to think he’ll push ahead without it. That means during this period — and throughout the last year — the only interaction he and other recruits have been able to get is over FaceTime/Zoom and other modes of communication like social media or texting.

Ibukun-Okeyode is a 6-4, 230-pound three-star talent from Rowlett, Texas, who right now may be a slight OSU lean, so a decision could wind up being beneficial for OSU if it happens soon. The Pokes were the second Division I school to offer him last fall and are contending with Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado and a handful of others.

Adding him to the mix would boost OSU’s already-solid class that right now ranks 11th nationally and third in the Big 12 with two top-500 commits in running back CJ Brown and quarterback Garret Rangel.