Oklahoma State Defensive Back Gabe Lemons Enters Transfer Portal

The Oklahoma State defensive backs room had another loss today as it has been reported by 247Sports that Gabe Lemons has entered the transfer portal.

Lemons was a back-up cornerback during his 4-year career in Stillwater. He has been a primary special teams contributor when on the field. He has never cracked any significant playing time on the defensive side of the ball. 

Lemons is the fifth defensive back on the 2021 Cowboys roster that will departing from the program. Lemons and Tanner McCalister are both transferring while Tre Sterling, Christian Holmes and Kolby Harvell-Peel are all headed for the NFL Draft.

The reality of the situation is that the coaching staff needs some of these spots to open up. 

Because the “super seniors” are going against the 85-man scholarship limit this year, open scholarships are needed to bring in the incoming freshman. There is also a need for some young guys to get playing time.

Players such as Kendal Daniels are expected to be starters or get a majority of the playing time at those positions, so Lemons would most likely not get much playing time as is. His open spot will allow younger players and highly touted prospects like freshmen DJ McKinney or Cameron Epps to come in and develop and have a quicker path to the field.

It might make some people upset but the reality is that programs need attrition like this to help develop the younger players. So, moves like this will allow Lemons to go somewhere he might earn playing time while the Cowboys also secure the future. It is a sound move on all sides. 

Pokes Report will continue to monitor the transfer portal departures and aquisitions in the coming days and weeks.