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Recruiting Reset: Mapping out OSU’s Ideal Finish to the 2020 Class

Projecting OSU’s finish to 2020 and its most important positions to target.

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In an ideal world, Oklahoma State is putting the finishes touches on a No. 1 recruiting class that features stars on defense, an immediately-impactful running back, and perhaps a five-star receiver for good measure.

But who are we kidding? This is Oklahoma State, not Alabama or Clemson. An ideal world for Oklahoma State is far less splashy — but also far more achievable by its own standards.

Within reason, here’s the best possible way the class could close.

1. Dual running backs

Names to know: Daniyel Ngata, Isaiah Jacobs, Kevontre Bradford

Current RB commits: None

A year removed from a Justice Hill/Chuba Hubbard backfield, Oklahoma State is about to be stunningly thin at running back with Hill in the NFL, Hubbard likely following him soon, and 2018 signee Jahmyl Jeter in the transfer portal. And so the importance of getting not just a running back in this class, but one that can play early, is increased.

The top priority remains Daniyel Ngata, a four-star back from California who will announce his commitment in just under two weeks. Mike Gundy paid him a visit in Cali the day after OSU lost Bedlam, and OSU figures to be in a top-three spot — but still battling for position with Texas A&M, Arizona State and Clemson.

The other name to know here is Owasso (Okla.) star Isaiah Jacobs. Jacobs is the younger brother of former Alabama running back/current Raiders star Josh Jacobs. The younger Jacobs visited OSU for Bedlam (yikes!), but is still considering OSU along with Arkansas, Michigan and Ole Miss. He’s not yet set a date for his commitment, but Ngata’s decision could loom large here.

Getting one of the two would be huge, getting both would be monumental. Lancaster product Kevontre Bradford is the third name to monitor here. He visited OSU this season but is reportedly considering Ohio State and Wisconsin after both have made late pushes to get him.

2. Another WR

Names to know: Jay Wilkerson

Current WR commits: Matt Polk, Brennan Presley (two-way player)

Jordan McCray is gone after this year and Tylan Wallace’s pro prospects remain unsettled. One commitment — from 6-foot-4 prospect Matt Polk — may not be enough. If I’m OSU, I’m considering mounting a full-court press to land 6-foot star Jay Wilkerson from Heritage High School in Texas. His college prospects have dried up a bit but he remains an intriguing recruit who I think can make an impact at this level.

3. Defensive line

Names to know: Any and all

Current DL commits: Grant Mahon (DT), Tyren Irby (DE)

With DT Sawyer Goram-Welch decommitting, all signs point to OSU losing him to Texas — a huge blow for a DT group that was already thin. That leaves Guyer product Grant Mahon as the lone DT commit in this class and junior college product Tyren Irby as the lone DE commit in the class. Not great! This crop is pretty underwhelming, and considering OSU’s defensive line has been their weakest defensive position for much of the season, you have to expect they’ll try and invest heavily at this position group to try and upgrade.

Right now it’s unclear who they may target, particularly at DT, but this feels like a case where a warm body with a pulse might suffice. Sure, OSU isn’t (on paper) losing any defensive linemen, but it feels imperative that new players should be cycled in to account for potential transfers, injuries, etc. Given the stage of the recruiting cycle, OSU may be scraping the bottom of the recruiting barrel to fill its class along the defensive line.

4. Another QB?

Names to know: Gunnar Gundy, Nolan Mclean

Current QB commits: Shane Illingworth

OSU already has its QB of the future in Shane Illingworth, but filling in the roster could require another in this class — whether it’s a scholarship QB or a walk-on. Dru Brown’s eligibility expires after the bowl game, freshman Brendan Costello has underwhelmed in his short time on campus, per sources, so backing up Sanders next season will be Illingworth and two walk-ons: Shaun Taylor and Peyton Thompson. Given the nature of Sanders’ game and how susceptible it makes him to injury, getting another QB in case of emergency could be important.

Two options to keep an eye on here.

1. Gunnar Gundy — 6-1, 190 pounds. Son of Gundy, Mike. He was an excellent high school QB at Stillwater High, interesting developmental option OSU could take — and presumably on a walk-on deal. That’s if Gunnar doesn’t get other late interest elsewhere. Many expect he’ll be a Cowboy one way or another.

2. Nolan Mclean — 6-3, 220 pounds. North Carolina product who plays both football and baseball. OSU has offered him a dual-opportunity to play both. X-factor here is if he wants to just bypass it all to go pro. He’s an elite pitcher who MLB teams may covet with a top-100 pick.

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