Surge in Safety Commitments Undeniably Working (Part 2)

Yesterday we looked at how Mike Gundy and Co. are recruiting safeties and turning them into starters at other positions. We saw how the class of 2017 might fold into that strategy, but what about the year after that with 2018 recruits? Let’s take a look at those today as Oklahoma State tries to weave its way through the OUs and Texas’ of the recruiting world.

2018 Commits

Kanion Williams: 3-Star, .8493 Rating

He is reserved over the phone but edgy on the field.

A South Oak Cliff product in Dallas, Williams is already fairly highly recruited. He holds offers from OSU, Arizona, Arizona State, Houston, Missouri and a handful of smaller schools. His play-making ability is why.

Williams plays well in zone coverage, especially the closer he is to the line of scrimmage. He can pull into the box and pursue the quarterback but also plays with the grit to cover one-on-one.

Best comparison: Daytawion Lowe

Jarrick Bernard: 3-Star, .8472 Rating

Would not be shocked to see more of this at OSU.

A true press corner by the looks of it. Bernard committed as a safety, but I see his best stuff out wide. Alone. He looks small on tape but measures* at 6-1, 195. Bernard has the quickness to keep up and bully high school receivers. It’s unclear how that will work at OSU.

If it goes poorly, he could (and has) lined up at backer.

Best comparison: Brodrick Brown

Kolby Peel: 3-Star, .8432 Rating

Finally, the best name in the bunch.

Peel wore No. 13 at Texas A&M Consolidated High School and raked in 107 tackles with four interceptions and two forced fumbles on his way to an All-District selection. Sounds like Sterns. Plays like Sterns. Seriously.

Honestly, imagine Sterns in that tape and it’s perfectly imaginable.

Best comparison: Jordan Sterns

Summary

The balloon of OSU safety commitments is a sign of the times for Gundy’s overarching recruiting strategy. The Cowboys added 10 safeties from 2008 to 2010. They finished No. 3 in the nation and beat Andrew Luck the year after with one of the most opportunistic defenses to ever be showcased in Stillwater.

There was another surge from 2013-15 when there were another 10 safety signings. The season after that, OSU won the Alamo Bowl and finished just outside the top 10.

Coincidence or pattern, stockpiling versatile athletes to potentially complete the back end of the secondary has delivered results. While other positions aren’t rock solid for the future at Oklahoma State (most notably at DT), the cards are beginning to stack up again in the secondary with seven safeties committed or signed in fewer than five months.