Role Play: Thabo Mwaniki to Step Up After Richards’, Flowers’ Departure

Soon-to-be sophomore Thabo Mwaniki can say something none of his classmates can. He was the lone freshman to start for Mike Gundy and the Cowboys in 2017, as he played in 11 of Oklahoma State’s 13 games.

He earned starts against South Alabama and Kansas State, and looks to make a big jump with senior safeties Tre Flowers and Ramon Richards departing. After the South Alabama game, The Oklahoman’s Scott Wright said Mwakini became the first true freshman to start on defense for OSU since Ramon Richards in 2014. 

Mwaniki earned the 2017 Russell Okung Award, given to the Cowboys’ most outstanding newcomer. That same honor was also given to Justice Hill last season.

Mwaniki stands at 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds, but he doesn’t turn 19 until May. He’ll definitely develop physically, as many players do after a year with Rob Glass, OSU’s strength and conditioning coach.

Originally from Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, Mwaniki was a three-star safety when OSU recruited him, according to 247sports.com. He also received offers from UCLA, Baylor and TCU. You can see his highlight tape from his senior season here.

OSU has 10 safeties on the roster for this upcoming season, but four of them are either freshmen or redshirt freshmen, meaning they haven’t seem as much time on the field as Mwaniki. Assuming Mwaniki slides into a starter’s role next year, we’ll take a look at a few players vying to start alongside him in 2018.

Za’Carrius Green (RS-Jr.) 5-foot-11, 205 pounds: Green played in all 13 games last season, but was primarily used on special teams.

Chance Cook (So.) 6-0, 190 pounds: Cook participated in every game for the Cowboys last season.

Malcolm Rodriguez (So.) 6-0, 205 pounds: Rodriguez is another player who primarily contributed on special teams.

The Cowboys have a pair of three-star safeties (Kanion Williams and Jason Taylor) coming into Stillwater this season, and because Mwaniki received time as a true freshman, we can’t rule out that possibility for Williams and Taylor.

The lack of experience at safety will make for an entertaining – and perhaps occasionally frustrating – secondary, but watching Mwaniki develop in what appears to be a starting role is something to look forward to.