(This article will be updated as the signees become official)
STILLWATER – The February signing period is finally here and Oklahoma State is looking to put the finishing touches on its 2023 signing class!
Pokes Report has put together in-depth recruiting profiles on the new high school additions, as well as the transfers who have been added to the team since the December signing period.
You can click HERE to see the HS and JUCO players who were added during the December signing period, which numbered 17 in total, as well as seven transfers.
–Quarterback–
Alan Bowman, TR QB, 6-3, 216 pounds, Grapvine, TX, Texas Tech/Michigan
Date Committed: 1/9/2023
Accomplishments: College: 2020 – 1st-team All-Academic Big 12; 2019 – 1st-team All-Academic Big 12; 2018 – Honorable Mention Freshman Offensive Player of the Year, Davey O’Brien QB of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great Eight (performance vs. Oklahoma State); High School: 2017 - District 8-5A Overall MVP; 2016 - District 8-5A Overall MVP in 2016
Key Statistics: College: 2022 - 6-of-7, 60-yards, 1-TD; 2021 - 2-of-4, 9-yards, 1 int; 2020 - 150-of-232, 64.7 pct, 1,602-yards, 10 TDs, 1 int; 2019 - 101-of-154, 65.6 pct, 1,020-yards, 10 TDs, 7 int; 2018 – 227-of-327, 69.4 pct, 2,638-yards, 17 TDs, 7 int; High School: 2017 - 3,570 yards through the air to go along with 38 touchdowns; 2016 - 3,329 passing yards with 42 touchdowns and just six interceptions; 2015 - 2,740 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions; 2014 - 1,754 passing yards and 12 touchdowns
Scouting Report: Bowman has thrown for 781-yards and five touchdowns in going 1-1 in his two appearances for Texas Tech at Oklahoma State (2018 and 2020). He will be knocking off rust having played in only five total games in his two seasons at Michigan. He was often injured at Texas Tech including problems with a collapsed lung. When healthy, he was sizzling and put up massive numbers. He is big and is athletic. He’s not going to be a big threat running the ball, but he is more than capable moving inside the pocket and keeping plays going. I like his wisdom and his football IQ level. He will be a strong positive influence with the younger quarterbacks in the quarterback room and on the practice field.
–Running Back–
Elijah Collins, TR RB, 6-1, 216 pounds, Detroit (University of Detroit Jesuit), Mich., Michigan State
Date Committed: 1/14/2023
Accomplishments: College: 2019 – Third-team All-Big 10 (media and PFF) Honorable Mention All-Big 10 (coaches); High School: 2017 - Top RB Prospect in Michigan by Rivals.com, 247Sports and The Detroit News, The Detroit News All-State Division 1-2 Team, MLive Detroit Dream Team, first-team All-State selection by The Associated Press and Detroit Free Press (Division 2), Detroit Free Press All-Detroit Team; 2016 – Honorable Mention Detroit News All-State Division 1-2 Team, Detroit Free Press All-Detroit Team, Detroit News All-Metro
Key Statistics: College: 2022 – 70 car. for 318-yds, 6 TD, 4.5-ypc, 14 rec. for 93-yds; 2021 – 18 car. for 102-yds, 5.7-ypc, 3 rec. for 34-yds, TD; 2020 - 41 car. for 90-yds. 2.2-ypc, 4 rec. for 34-yds; 2019 – 222 car. for 988-yds, 4.5-ypc, 5 TD, 15 rec. for 99-yds; 2018 – 2 car. for 8-yds; High School: 2017 - 134 car. for 1,076-yds, 8.0-ypc, 9 TD, 10 rec. for 102 yds, TD, 73 tackles, 2 int; 2016 - 721 yds. rushing and 14 TD, 19 rec. for 306 yards, 5 TD.
Scouting Report: Collins got his degree at Michigan State and was off to Oklahoma State shortly thereafter. He is a big back that can also find open spaces as evidenced by what we see on video. He is a good pass catcher and is an excellent pass protector, which will come in handy. The strength staff has been high on him since he arrived. His work ethic is excellent, and he will be a good example, but Oklahoma State needs him to show he still has plenty of tread on his tires.
Sesi Vailahi, RB/Ath., 5-9, 190 pounds, Salt Lake City (West), Utah
Pokes Report Ranking: 3-Star
Date Committed: 1/28/2023
Accomplishments: 2022 – Deseret News 1st-Team All-State, 1st-Team All City, 1st-Team All-District
Key Statistics: 2022 – 867-yards rushing, 23 rec. for 557-yds, 7 TD, 1,424-yds of total offense, 52 tackles, 3 int., 1 TD off int; Career – 153 car. for 1,065-yards, 14 TD, 81 rec. for 1,588-yards, 10 TD
Scouting Report: Oklahoma State sees Vailahi as a running back but you can see that clearly, but you can also see him as a receiver and I can especially see him as a defender too. He is a terrific athlete that can do about anything. His head coach was a coach for Jaylen Warren and the former Cowboys running back that is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers is a neighbor and a mentor to Vailahi. From the running back angle, he has unusual strength for his size and he has an explosive gear that allows him to spurt away from defenders. His attitude and maturity is special as well. When he came on his visit he was a unanimous pick almost immediately by the coaches and staff.
Other Schools Considered: BYU, Utah State, Nevada, Idaho State, Southern Utah
–Wide Receiver–
Leon Johnson III, TR WR, 6-5, 207 pounds, Bothell, Wash., George Fox University
Date Committed: 1/10/2023
Accomplishments: College: 2022 - AFCA DIII First-Team All-American, Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year, a NWC First Team selection, D3Football.com All-Region; 2021 – All-NWC Honorable Mention; High School: 2018 – Honorable Mention All-Kings County
Key Statistics: College: 2022 - 55 rec. for 1,156-yards, 14 TDs, 1,205 all-purpose yards; 2021 – 30 rec, 540-yards, 3 TDs, 18.0-ypr; 2020 – DNP; 2019 – 25 rec, 450-yards, 6 TDs, 18.0-ypr; High School: 2018 – 24 rec. for 334-yards, 3 TDs, 5 blocked kicks, 17 tackles
Scouting Report: He is a well-rounded athlete that also played baseball in high school and at George Fox. He is big and athletic but will need to get stronger. There is no doubt that this is a reach in bringing a Division III All-American into standout in the Big 12. He has a chance physically and he is a very smart young man. I believe that will help. He had an NFL scout point him this direction, so Oklahoma State’s staff is not the only ones that feel he can make this jump.
Arland Bruce IV, TR Slot/RB, 5-10, 198 pounds, Olathe (North), Kan., University of Iowa
Date Committed: 1/14/2023
Accomplishments: College: 2021 – Team Hustle Award; High School: 2020 - Des Moines Register Elite All-State team, first-team All-State; 2019 - Kansas City Metro Player of the Year, first-team All-State; 2018 - second-team All-State, first-team All-Conference; 2017 – Honorable Mention All-Conference
Key Statistics: College: 2022 – 19 rec. for 187-yds, 9.8-ypr, 1 TD, 12 car, for 47-yds, 4.3-ypc, 1 TD; 2021 – 25 rec. for 209-yds, 8.4-ypr, 1 TD, 10 car. for 65-yds, 4.3-ypc, 3 TD; High School: 2020 – 81 car. for 660-yds. and 8 TD rushing, 30 rec. for 451-yds. and 5 TD receiving; 2019 - 2,479 yards and 43 touchdowns rushing, passing for 404 yards and 5 touchdowns; 2018 - 1,379 yards rushing., 1,209 passing yards, 35 total touchdowns; 2017 - 819 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns
Scouting Report: Bruce IV is a multi-talented athlete and has loads of experience. He will step in and be able to do all the things and maybe more that Richardson did in a similar role. In addition to the abilities he has at the slot and running back, he excites the Oklahoma State staff as a kick and punt returner to go along with Brennan Presley and Jaden Nixon. The ceiling on Bruce is very high.
Jalen Pope, Slot, 5-11, 180 pounds, Aledo, Texas
Pokes Report Ranking: 4-Star
Date Committed: 1/15/2023
Accomplishments: 2022 – 1st-team All-District 5A-3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram 1st-Team All-Area, Academy Sports and Outdoors State Championship Player of the Game
Key Statistics: 2022 – 64 rec. for 1,252-yds., 14 TD, 19.6-ypr; 2021 – 18 rec. for 343-yds., 6 TD
Scouting Report: Just start with these numbers: eight receptions for 228-yards and three touchdowns. That is what Pope did in AT&T Stadium in the 52-14 win by Aledo over College Station in the Class 5A-I State Championship Game to earn the Player of the Game honors. Pope is truly one of those late developing seniors as he poured it on compared to what he had done in the past. He is a 4.49 in the forty that has excelled in track for Aledo and will run again this spring. He plays bigger than his 5-11 height and he has not only good speed but even better football speed.
Other Schools Considered: Tulsa, Air Force Columbia, Lafayette
Tykie Andrews, WR, 6-1, 175 pounds, Enid, Okla.
Pokes Report Ranking: 3-Star
Date Committed: 1/14/2023
Accomplishments: 2022 – The Oklahoman 2nd Team All-State, 1st-Team All-District 6A-I-1, Vype Top 100 and Mr. Football nominee, 1st-Team All-Vype 6A-I; 2021 - 2nd-Team All-District 6A-I-1
Key Statistics: 2022 – 135 rec. for 1,551-yds, 17 TD
Scouting Report: Andrews combines speed (4X100 meter relay anchor) and excellent ball skills from his long-time basketball work. He should have been more heavily recruited but playing for a rebounding program under the guidance for former Oklahoma State multiple All-American and first round NFL draft pick Rashaun Woods. Woods put a lot of himself into coaching Andrews and it shows when you watch him play. He is an excellent route runner that is able to position his body to be the best to get the football. I think this is a steal in the second signing day.
Other Schools Considered: Air Force, Navy, Dartmouth, Drake
–Tight End–
Josiah Johnson, TR TE, 6-5, 240 pounds, Jacksonville (The Bolles School), Fla., University of Massachusetts
Date Committed: 1/5/2023
Accomplishments: College: Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent Second Team (Tight End); High School: All-District as a Jr. and Sr.; Made the playoffs all four years of high school and helped the Bolles School to a 49-7 record, also lettered for the Bolles School basketball team and was a two-time captain
Key Statistics: College: 2022-23 rec. for 163-yards; 2021- 6 car. for 50-yards and 2 TDs and 11 rec. for 116-yards and 3 TDs; 2020 – 6-of-9 passing 39-yards, 12 car. for 32-yards, 3 rec. for 48-yards; 2019 – 12 rec. for 139-yards and 2 TDs; High School: Amassed 1,775 passing yards and 14 touchdown passes in a Wing T offensive system during his senior season, during which he rushed for more than 300 yards and scored on the ground seven times.
Scouting Report: A former quarterback turned tight end he is a lot more physical than you might think because he was a wing-T quarterback in high school that often found himself as a lead blocker. He is a one-year player at Oklahoma State. I expect him to help launch the tight end back with solid blocking and the kind of athleticism and size that can help as a receiver.
–Offensive Line–
Jamison Mejia, OT, 6-5, 280 pounds, Broken Arrow, Okla.
Pokes Report Ranking: 3-Star
Date Committed: 1/29/2023
Accomplishments: 2022 – OCA first-team All-State, The Oklahoman first-team All-State, The Tulsa World first-team All-State, Tulsa World All-Metro, Vype Top 100 and Mr. Football Oklahoma nominee. First-team All-Vype
Key Statistics: 2022 – 88 pancakes and no sacks allowed, blocked for an offense that rushed for 3,400 yards and 34 touchdowns and passed for 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Scouting Report: He is big, but he is mobile, almost like a tight end in a bigger frame. He really excels in blocking on the move whether it is outside for a perimeter screen play or coming across in a “dart” pull and getting to the edge player on the other side of the line. He is good on pin and pull tactics, but he is also good straight on. One of his most impressive highlights is what I like to call the o-line cycle. He blocks a lineman on defense and then moves to the second level and put a linebacker down and then with the play still live gets to the third level and blocks a corner trying to close in. I think he will need a red-shirt season but then should compete for the depth chart.
Other Schools Considered: Virginia, Tulsa, Arkansas State, Eastern Michigan, New Mexico State, Tulane, Louisiana-Monroe, Navy
–Defensive Tackle–
Justin Kirkland, TR DT, 6-4, 330 pounds, Roy, Utah, Utah Tech
Date Committed: 1/6/2023
Accomplishments: High School: Was a four-year varsity letter winner in football and a three-time all-region selection at both offensive and defensive line earned All-State honors at both OL and DL as a senior team captain in 2019, was All-Conference in both 2019 and 2018, also lettered in basketball, tennis and track and field … graduated with a 3.88 GPA.
Key Statistics: College: 2022 – 40 total tackles, 18 unassisted, 6.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks, 1 fum.rec, 3 passes defended; High School: 61 tackles, 8.0 tfl, 1.0 sack, 2 fum.caused, 1 fum. rec, and 2 blocked kicks; 2018 - 46 tackles, 6.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks; 2017 - 40 tackles, 3.0 tfl, 3.0 sacks
Scouting Report: Kirkland is a beast, and he came in and reported at 6-4, 335-pounds. In testing he promptly did 35 reps on the 225-pound bench press rep test. Here is a potentially dominating two-gap nose tackle that will get dramatic push at the line of scrimmage. He is built for what new defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo is going to want to get down there in the middle of the line of scrimmage. He is 21-years old after serving his LDS mission before beginning college. He was more than competitive than you might imagine knocking off the rust in his freshman season at Utah Tech.
Maybe he got sent to Indonesia by his employer like I did last November (2021) as my final project before retirement, talk about a cultural experience! LOL! By the way how was Southeast Asia?GumbyFromPokeyLand said:
Cautiously optimistic.
On another note, what's happened to CaliforniaCowboy? He's been suspiciously absent for a couple of weeks.
Hanoi is WAAAAAY underrated. Very, very cool. Vietnam is unbelievably vibrant and capitalistic for a communist country.Joe Khatib said:Maybe he got sent to Indonesia by his employer like I did last November (2021) as my final project before retirement, talk about a cultural experience! LOL! By the way how was Southeast Asia?GumbyFromPokeyLand said:
Cautiously optimistic.
On another note, what's happened to CaliforniaCowboy? He's been suspiciously absent for a couple of weeks.
