The Reload: Avery Anderson Trending OSU, Safety Planning Official in September

There’s been a number of interesting #developments over the last few days in favor of Oklahoma State on the recruiting trail. Let’s break ’em down.

Avery Anderson trending heavily towards orange

Four-star combo guard Avery Anderson, a highly-rated Class of 2019 prospect who is down to a final five of Florida, LSU, OSU, TCU and Texas Tech, continues to trend in OSU’s direction.

As of today, his crystal ball reads 83 percent in the direction of the Pokes. A strong connection with OSU’s head man appears to be paying dividends.

“I have a really good relationship with Coach Mike Boynton,” he told Rivals this weekend. “I just like what he’s trying to build over there.”

Anderson is cooking up plans to take his officials to the five finalists previously mentioned, and while he doesn’t have a favorite officially, OSU is going to be in the thick of it until the end, Rivals’ Dan McDonald says.

As he approaches the official visit part of his recruitment, Anderson isn’t giving any tips on which way he may be leaning. It’s safe to assume Oklahoma State is going to be in this one until the end though. The Cowboys have always been strong recruiting the D/FW Metroplex, and his relationship with Mike Boynton is very strong. [Rivals]

My money is on Anderson being OSU’s next hoops commit, but when he makes his decision could dictate OSU’s chances. If he makes a commitment in the coming weeks and months, it would seem to be OSU versus the field. However things could change if he allows more schools to chip away at the lead Boynton has built up over the last year.

Mario McKinney top schools

Another Class of 2019 combo guard who holds an OSU offer, Mario McKinney, officially released his top seven schools over the weekend — days after his top 7 was somehow leaked on his own snapchat (I feel old!)

Louisville, Iowa State, Missouri, Auburn, VCU and K-State round out his newly-trimmed list. He cut out 11 other programs who had offered him scholarships.

McKinney picked up an OSU offer earlier this summer after impressing Cowboy coaches in person during the live period. But as things stand now for the Saint Louis product, it’s all Mizzou — which isn’t all bad, because it appears Anderson is the preferred combo guard for OSU.

Anderson could be the second guard piece for OSU in 2019 to pit alongside point guard Joshua Pierre-Louis, who included OSU in his top 3 over the weekend. At this point, I’d say given OSU’s scholarship situation suggests that it will either be either Anderson or McKinney, because there’s not room for both. McKinney may be a good contingency plan if Anderson — or even Pierre-Louis — falls through.

Check out highlights of McKinney from his junior campaign below.

Three-star safety planning OSU OV

Dax Hill is the big name safety everyone is aware OSU is circling for 2019, but another prospect, Coppell’s Jonathan McGill, will soon make an official visit to OSU, according to Gabe Brooks of 247.

An official date is being worked out but OSU appears to be one of his lucky finalists to land an OV. The Cowboys have been recruiting him for months now, although it’s mostly flown under the radar for two reasons: 1. Dax Hill. And 2. He’s heavily leaning towards Stanford.

One of those schools is Oklahoma State. McGill told 247Sports that he has tentative plans to officially visit Stillwater on Sept. 21 weekend. The Cowboys host Texas Tech, another one of McGill’s top six schools, that Saturday. That week is Coppell High School’s bye week, so it would allow McGill to arrive Friday for his official visit. [GoPokes]

If Dax Hill doesn’t wind up picking the Pokes whenever he finally makes his commitment, McGill would be a solid option. He’s a highly-touted three-star who has 21+ offers thus far.

Dustin Ragusa contributed to this report.