Kendal Daniels and Collin Oliver Announce Return for 2023

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State is retaining two of its best defensive players for the upcoming 2023 season.

Redshirt reshman safety, and reigning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Kendal Daniels wrote on Twitter “Let’s go again,” and tagged fellow Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Collin Oliver, who responded with “Let’s ride.”

Both Daniels and Oliver were atop the list of players OSU fans were afraid to lose the most to the portal. Robert Allen reported last week that Oliver was planning on staying. We also had that both Daniels and Oliver were at practice on Sunday.

Daniels had an incredible redshirt freshman season this year, one that should garner him Freshman All-American honors. He finished the season with 69 total tackles, 43 of which were solo stops, including 5.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded four quarterback hurries, three pass break ups and three interceptions for 20 yards.

As for Oliver, he finished the 2022 campaign with 27 total tackles, 19 of which were solo stops, 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He also recorded 12 quarterback hurries and one pass break up.

Following his breakout freshman season last year, Oliver was tabbed the unanimous Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, a Freshman All-American by ESPN, The Athletic, PFF College and 247Sports, as well as being named a FWAA Freshman of the Year finalist.

There’s a good chance we see several of those nods going Daniels’ way following the season.