With Outgoing OL Class, OSU in Position to go Big on Recruiting Trail

Each year Oklahoma State takes a handful of offensive line signees to backfill scholarships from outgoing seniors, to hedge against potential transfers, to insure imminent injuries. There’s a number the staff keeps on scholarship from the position group that almost is always met or maintained within one in most instances.

But this year is not like most years where a two- or three-person offensive line class will suffice. With five senior offensive linemen on scholarship set to see their eligibility expire this upcoming season — including four potential starters up front — this class will be vital to shoring up the position group for the future. It will be equal parts important and gargantuan (literally and figuratively).

OSU is in good hands not only in the recruiting realm of the present but also of the recent past after hiring offensive line coach Charlie Dickey last year. The Cowboys signed four offensive linemen and added a fifth — Josh Sills — via the grad transfer route after he took the reins from Josh Henson last recruiting cycle. Those additions helped revitalize a position group that had struggled to maintain consistency in coaching and recruiting in recent years. The upcoming additions should only fortify those additions — and Dickey’s place within the hierarchy of the staff as an ace recruiter — as OSU builds itself bigger and bigger up front.

Of course, replacing Teven Jenkins, Dylan Galloway, Josh Sills, Ry Schneider and Matt Kegel isn’t a one-year project. It will take scouting, development, coaching, training … and lots of it. But the first step is the recruitment process, where the irons in the fire appear promising. As Dickey again sets out in a quest to strengthen his bunch and help offset the upcoming losses, here’s a guess at how he will do so.

How big will the class be?

Based on outgoing numbers, the offensive line class will likely be, at minimum, a four-person class that would match OSU’s incoming class from last cycle (minus the grad transfer). But there’s wiggle room that makes me believe it could be five or more. Not only are Jenkins, Galloway, Sills and Kegel on their way out after 2020-2021, but so too is Schneider — a key preferred walk-on who last season was put on scholarship and made five starts on the offensive line. When you factor in those losses with the potential (heck, maybe likelihood) that one or more of the scholarship offensive lineman may decide to transfer within the next six months, it opens up the possibility that six offensive linemen could be in play this cycle alone.

Yowza!

Who is in play?

OSU’s 2021 class has yet to really take shape, with both commitments right now set to play on the defensive side of the ball. So in a word, the answer: everyone.

More specifically, everyone.

Dickey recruited the junior college and high school avenues equally during his time at Kansas State, but early returns at OSU — which says more about OSU’s goal to replenish young talent and build a longer-term, sustainable structure — is that Dickey is targeting high schoolers first. Because of the experienced unit he took over, that preference makes a ton of sense, too.

But after this upcoming season, OSU will be rebuilding with a ton of outgoing starters and a real lack of experience Dickey hasn’t dealt with at OSU yet. That could leave open the door for a blend of high schoolers and junior collegers to give OSU a chance to add experience and also build long-term with a foundation of youth.

OK, Kyle get to the names

K, fine.

1. Erick Cade | 6-6, 313 OT | ??? — A Texas native, Cade has been on OSU’s radar for more than two years after offering in early 2018. Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama and Texas are among those involved.

“Oklahoma State has been showing me a lot of interest,” he told 247Sports last month. “I get calls and text messages from the offensive line coach, coach (Charlie) Dickey, a lot.”

2. Reuben Fatheree | 6-8, 305 OT | ???? — Fatheree is one of the most highly coveted offensive tackle prospects in the great state of Texas because of his 6-8, 305-pound (!) frame. He’s expected to stay local, too. OSU, OU and Texas A&M are heavily involved. Charlie Dickey was hired just a month after Fatheree was offered by OSU, so there’s a ton of continuity there with the two. (He was on Dickey’s radar at K-State as well.)

3. Jonah Miller | 6-8, 285 OT | ??? — OSU signed a highly-regarded offensive line last cycle from a catholic school out of Arizona in Cade Bennett, and Miller could make it two in a row. He’s from Tucson and goes to Salpointe Catholic. 6-foot-8 tackle who has 16 offers, including from USC, Oregon and every relevant west coast school.

4. Isaia Glass | 6-5, 245 OT | ??? — Another Arizona native, Glass is a bit lower profile but also a new target, having been offered by the OSU staff in February. He had a breakout junior season and has garnered offers since from Fresno State, Arizona, Iowa State and others.

5. Jaeden Roberts | 6-6, 340 OG | ???? — Getting Jaeden Roberts would be perhaps the biggest OL coup of the Gundy era. He’s a massive guard with a college-ready frame from Houston’s North Shore High School — which could potentially get OSU in the door for other players from the talent-rich program in the present and future. He’s picking between OSU, Alabama and LSU, among others. Close to 30 offers in total.

6. Jacoby Jackson | 6-6, 306 OT | ??? — Despite a three-star ranking, Jacoby Jackson has the highest offer count of the bunch, with 34 and counting. TCU may be a factor here OSU can’t overcome, though, as his father, Cedric, played for the Horned Frogs from 1988-91.