Cowboys Add Commitment in Stanaland and Likely Another Coming

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State picked up the 11^th commitment in the 2023 football recruiting class with Gage Stanaland of Tuscola (Jim Ned), Texas. The 6-4, 280-pound Stanaland was at the Cowboys win over Iowa State on Saturday (Nov. 12) with his dad and had a great time. He literally foresadowed his commitment to Pokes Report on Monday night in a phone conversation. 

“It was awesome,” Stanaland said of the atmosphere, the game, and the tour of the facilities. He also met with head coach Mike Gundy. “I loved it all. It was fantstic and it was a great game. My dad agreed and liked it too. We have been praying that we will hear from them and they will offer a scholarship.” 

That happened and Stanaland took little time to respond on social media with his answer. 

Besides Stanaland, Oklahoma State also hosted Oklahoma City (Putnam City), Okla. defensive end Taje McCoy (6-3, 245) at the Iowa State game and reinforced their scholarship offer with him. It would appear he would be next on the commitment list.

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Stanaland in action this season.

Stanaland has started for Jim Ned for three seasons and he was earlier committed to the Naval Academy, but he de-committed and reopened his recruiting when Oklahoma State took interest. This is a tough guy that you can see from his high school video leaves little doubt in his blocking chores. Stanaland has also shown his toughness in another sport as he has competed in Golden Gloves Boxing since 2018 and had considerable success. Wednesday night Stanaland confirmed for us that he was a state champion in Golden Gloves.

“I won a state championship and it was good experience,” he said by phone. “I’m really glad to be committed to Oklahoma State. This is where I want to be.”

Stanaland has helped Jim Ned to an 8-3 season with a 5-0 district championship. The Indians shut out Pilot Point last Friday 41-0 and this Friday (Nov. 18) will take on highly-ranked Bushland (10-1) in a road test for the second round of the Class 3A-Division I playoffs. 

http://www.hudl.com/v/2JpNvS

Those highlights with Stanaland (55 in white) are fresh from that first round whitewash against Pilot Point. He is the third offensive line commitment in the Cowboys class that also includes Jack Endean (6-6, 280) from Tucson (Tanque Verde), Ariz. and Stillwater standout Jakobe Sanders (6-3, 295). Sanders may be the best offensive line prospect in Oklahoma. Stanaland is part of five members of the offense in the recruiting class including Gretna, Neb. quarterback Zane Flores and Houston (Furr), Texas athlete Camron Heard.

Putnam City High School

McCoy is accustomed to wearing orange.

As for McCoy, he was offered in the summer but there seemed to be a pause in his recruitment. Any pause is out the window and Oklahoma State showed they were full bore in purusing McCoy last weekend. Putnam City ended their season in the playoffs on Friday night (Nov. 11) with a 31-21 loss at Sand Springs. McCoy actually cross over to offense and ran for a nine-yard touchdown in the playoff loss.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/12831680/Taje-McCoy

McCoy had a strong season with 97 total tackles (68 unassisted), 11 sacks, 16 tackles-for-loss, four fumbles recovered, and three fumbles caused. McCoy was a major cog in the Pirates defense all season.

Among others McCoy has offers from Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Tulane, and Vanderbilt. He was first offered by Oklahoma State in January of this year as reported by Pokes Report. We expect to know something on McCoy soon.

If McCoy commits then he will be the 12^th commitment in the recruiting class and the sixth on the defensive side of the ball joining fellow defensive end Jaedon Foreman of Del City, Okla.