Spring Preview: Despite Losing Star Power, OSU Has Plenty of Talent at Safety

Oklahoma State’s spring practice kicks off on Tuesday, and the Cowboys head into 2022 with high expectations and some even loftier goals. As we wind down our series examining OSU’s position groups, let’s look at one that could make or break the Cowboys’ chances at getting back to Arlington.

An apt microcosm for the OSU defense, the Cowboys’ safety group lost some star power and some leadership to the NFL and the transfer portal, but the group still returns a ton of talent and should — again — be one of the saltier contingents in the Big 12.

Be sure that you don’t miss our previous spring position previews: RB | QB | WR | TE | CB | OL | DL | LB

Who is returning: Jason Taylor II (redshirt senior), Kendal Daniels (redshirt freshman), Thomas Harper (senior), Kanion Williams (redshirt senior), Trey Rucker (senior), Sean Michael Flanagan (redshirt senior), Nick Session (redshirt sophomore), Ty Williams (redshirt freshman), Lyrik Rawls (redshirt freshman), Carter Barnard (redshirt freshman)

Who is entering the mix: N/A

The Cowboys lost some star power and leadership in the safety room. All-American Kolby Harvell-Peel and Tre Sterling are off to the pros, and Tanner McCalister followed Jim Knowles to Columbus to join the Buckeyes next year. And the Cowboys didn’t add a single safety in the 2022 cycle.

Fortunately, the group was already pretty stacked with talent and depth.

Jason Taylor II has done nothing but make plays when he’s been on the field the last two seasons, so you can count on a few more like this in the fall.

Add in the likes of Thomas Harper, Kanion Williams, Trey Rucker, Sean Michael Flanagan and others who’ve been biding their time, but the X-factor could be an underclassman. Expect Kendal Daniels, the Cowboys’ top-rated 2021 signee, to vie for reps starting this spring.

Pre-spring depth chart prediction

S1 — Jason Taylor II
S1 — Thomas Harper
S1 — Kendal Daniels
S2 — Trey Rucker
S2 — Kanion Williams
S2 — Nick Session
S3 — Lyrik Rawls
S3 — Sean Michael Flanagan
S3 — Ty Williams