Two Portal Defensive Linemen Set to Visit Oklahoma State

The Cowboys’ defensive line took a hit Monday when news broke that defensive tackle Justin Kirkland hit the portal, but Oklahoma State’s staff is already making moves to try to fill that void.

Two defensive linemen are set to visit Oklahoma State this week. Kentucky transfer Darrion Henry-Young will visit Wednesday, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Houston Christian transfer Zae Smith took to X to announce he’ll be in Stillwater on Friday and Saturday.

Here’s a little bit about each guy.

Darrion Henry-Young

Listed at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds while at Kentucky this past season, Henry-Young was a four-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, listed as the No. 154 player in the cycle. He started his college career at Ohio State, picking his home state Buckeyes over reported offers from Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame and others.

He played in four games across his two seasons in Columbus, where he recorded one tackle — a sack.

Henry-Young transferred to Kentucky ahead of the 2022 season and took part in five games for the Wildcats that year, recording a sack.

He played in eight games in 2023, finishing with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry before suffering season-ending knee injury. That injury saw him miss all of 2024, as well.

Zae Smith

A 6-foot-1, 270-pound defensive tackle for La Marque, Texas, Smith had a massive season at FCS Houston Christian in 2024, where he recorded 54 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

In four seasons with the Huskies, Smith has played in 36 games and compiled 134 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.

2024 film pic.twitter.com/akvUfYgfzZ

— Zae Smith (@ZaelynSmith) December 3, 2024

Since hitting the portal in December, Smith has announced offers to Cal, Miami (OH), Sam Houston, North Texas, Marshall, Ball State, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech and others.