Oklahoma State Gets Commitment From DT Justin Kirkland
STILLWATER – The old portal takes but the portal gives as well, and Oklahoma State got some of the give back on Thursday of what has been a rugged week for Oklahoma State fans seeing four more Cowboys including three talented receivers go into the transfer portal. One of the new commitments that will be here for the spring semester that begins in just over a week is Justin Kirkland from Utah Tech.
The 6-4, 300-pound Kirkland is a powerful defensive tackle that played in all 11 games for the school formally known as Dixie State in Utah. Kirkland had 40 tackles, a high number for an inside technique and he had 6.0-tackles-for-loss and 2.0-sacks. He also broke up or deflected two passes and recovered a fumble.
When he arrives at OSU, he will be a 21-year-old sophomore to be. In fact, that advanced age is one of the reasons he chose Utah Tech over attention from BYU, Utah, Utah State, Weber State, Southern Utah, and Idaho State.
“Utah Tech guaranteed my scholarship, so I could take my mission for the LDS church,” Kirkland said at the time.
Watching video, he is a powerful player that holds his gap and is disruptive with the offense and anything they attempt in the A-gap area.
In high school he was a four-year varsity player that was a three-time All-Region selection on the offensive and defensive line. He earned All-State honors in Utah his senior season in the fall of 2019.
Kirkland came in and visited midweek to Oklahoma State and cancelled a scheduled visit to Kansas State when he committed.
In fact, Kansas State had sent a car to pick Kirkland up in Stillwater and the car driver waited around for four hours before leaving. Kirkland is firmly committed. You should watch his video, he is impressive.