Tyrese Williams Confirms He's in the Portal and Leaving

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State is losing another offensive lineman and that is disappointing as red-shirt senior guard Tyrese Williams confirmed to Pokes Report that he has gone in the transfer portal and his intent is to play next season somewhere else. Williams going into the portal was first reported by Max Olson of The Athletic.

“Yes sir, I’ve gone in the transfer portal and I’m going to be leaving,” Williams said. “I will be here in school this semester and then graduate in May and I will be looking to see where I will end up.”

Williams was the back-up at left guard behind Josh Sills all season and with Sills being banged up, Williams started two games and played in two others (Kansas and Fiesta Bowl vs. Notre Dame). Asked about his opportunity to start with Sills being gone, he had this answer.

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Williams (60) on the offensive line in the spring game.

“That looks cloudy, so I thought I would go on and look for somewhere I know I could play,” Williams said.

The 6-2, 300-pound product of Cy-Ridge High School in the Houston-area came in as a strong prospect to play center and backed up there, but then moved to guard most of the past two seasons. He made news during the COVID semester by working out at home with a harness on and pulling a dually pick-up around his neighborhood in Cypress.

Williams has always been one of those players with a good attitude and was all about the team. He told me it is not the program or the coaches.

“Coach Dickey is a good offensive line coach and just what we needed here,” Williams said.

His decision to leave is based on being somewhere he has a greater opportunity to be in the line-up as a starter.

Williams will have two seasons left to play. His red-shirt senior season and, if he chooses, a COVID super senior season.

Williams’ announcement leaves Oklahoma State with 12 returning scholarship offensive linemen. They have a transfer portal visitor wrapping up a visit today (Jan. 14) in Michael Shanahan of Tennessee-Martin. They are also waiting on a decision from Western Kentucky transfer Mason Brooks, who visited Oklahoma State last week.

Junior college transfer and two-time All-American Tyrone Webber is on campus now and there are are two high school offensive linemen in the recruiting class. 

You can expect that the Cowboys will keep pursuing more options.