Cowboys 2021 Signing Day: Defensive Line
STILLWATER – The December Signing Period for Oklahoma State is finally upon us and the Cowboys are bringing in some talented athletes. Pokes Report is detailing every signee with in-depth profiles and analysis, as well as premium content on the class. We’ll also have head coach Mike Gundy’s thoughts on the signees and exclusive interviews as well.
We’ve bundled together each signee by position group and we’ll be looking at the defensive linemen below.
- Aden Kelley
- Nathan Latu
- Collin Oliver
(The profiles were created by Robert Allen)
Aden Kelley, DT, 6-3, 287, Thomas (Thomas-Fay-Custer), Okla.
An All-American selected to play in the former U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio, which has been cancelled, Kelley is perhaps, the top prize in this recruiting class for the Cowboys. There are numerous talented players, but a big, strong, and athletic defensive tackle is hard to come by. Kelley is a two-way player for Oklahoma Class A power Thomas as he plays right tackle on offense and defensive tackle and end on defense and has led them to a 13-1 record and they will play Cashion in a rematch of their only loss this coming Saturday for the Oklahoma Class A State Championship. He is powerful enough to dominate in the middle, but athletic and agile enough to edge rush at the high school level. He will play defensive tackle at Oklahoma State. Unique skill set and fun to watch. He is so strong and powerful but has quickness. He had 71 tackles and seven sacks as a junior playing both ways and for a 12-1 team as a senior he has been highly productive with 77 total tackles and 36 unassisted tackles. Remember that he plays inside on the defensive line and he has 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks with another seven quarterback hurries. He has also forced two fumbles. Kelley picked Oklahoma State over some 20 offers including Air Force, Army, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Memphis, Minnesota, Navy, Nebraska, North Texas, Northwestern, SMU, Syracuse, and the runner-up in the decision in TCU. We wrote a story on how he is too good to be true as he is an outstanding student, involved in all kinds of community projects, and is the player that helps up the guy he knocks down and thanks him for helping to make him a better player. He is a member of Future Farmers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the FBC Youth Group in his community. Kelley was born Jan. 17, 2002 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is the son of Jennifer and Martin Kelley and his plan is to major in something in the agricultural college at Oklahoma State like Ag Business or Ag Economics.
Nathan Latu, DE/OLB/Edge, 6-4, 255, Snow Community College/Salt Lake City (Olympus), Utah
A late offer last Friday, just five days before the early signing date, and it didn’t take long for Latu to call Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy and commit. Latu is a 2018 high school graduate that originally signed with BYU but an academic issue had him going to Snow C.C. He was stout as a freshman when he got the chance with 21 tackles, 17 unassisted tackles in the final six games of the season. He also had 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three fumbles forced, and a blocked kick. His best game came against ASA-Miami as he had six tackles, five unassisted, three tackles for loss, a sack, two fumbles forced, and a blocked kick. Oklahoma State was his only Power Five offer coming out of Snow. He did have offers from UNLV, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana State, and Missouri State. Latu’s twin brother, Cameron, is a tight end for the University of Alabama. Latu lists a 4.65 in the forty, 36-inch vertical, 385-pound squat, and 17 reps in the 19=85-pound bench press rep test. Watching the fall scrimmages and practice video from Snow, Latu uses his hands well, has good take off quickness, and is physical. He gets in the quarterback’s face and you can picture him following through and hitting the quarterback. He is projected as an edge rusher.
Collin Oliver, OLB/DE, 6-3, 220, Edmond (Santa Fe), Okla.
It has been very popular with Oklahoma State fans, the Santa Fe package rushing quarterbacks including defensive end Trace Ford and edge rusher Calvin Bundage. That will continue in the future with Collin Oliver, who has played defensive end and outside linebacker for head coach Kyle White and defensive coordinator Chris Rose at Edmond Santa Fe High School. Oliver was the primary playmaker on the Wolves defense and helped them to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 6A-I in 2020 to Jenks. Future Cowboy teammate Logan Nobles said Oliver was the most challenging opponent he saw in his high school career at offensive tackle for the Trojans as the two were matched up in that State Championship Game. In his senior season Oliver had 66 tackles with four sacks, two fumble recoveries and 17 tackles. Oliver is ultra-quick as he also competes in sprints and sprint relays in track. He also placed third at the Oklahoma 6A state championship in high jump and ninth in long jump. He has mastered his use of hands to get blockers mitts off of him as he flies by. Already named Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and an all-state selection. As a junior he struggled some with injuries and finished with 33 tackles, an interception and seven tackles for loss through six games before his season ended early. He did come back for the playoff game after missing significant time in the second half of the season. He gained attention as a sophomore with 56 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks. Oliver had a slew of offers and picked the Cowboys Arkansas, Boise State, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Mississippi, Oregon, TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech, and Utah. Oliver is the son of Jewel and Marshall Oliver and was born on Sept. 23, 2002, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His parents were athletes at SWOSU with his dad playing football and mother in basketball. Oliver plans to major in Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State.