Oklahoma State PWO Gabriel Rodriguez Nominated for All-World DPOY

STILLWATER – One of my favorite sources for high school news is The Tulsa World and on Saturday they released their All-World Player of the Year nominations on both offense and defense. The awards won’t be presented until the seventh annual All-World Awards Dinner at a date and place to be annnounced later. High School editor Barry Lewis made the final selections after consulting with area coaches. The Tulsa World’s All-State team will be released on Sunday, Feb. 12, while the All-World nominations and team are more of an area group. Eligibility is for athletes that attend schools within 60 miles of downtown Tulsa or live in a community of 5,000 people or more and that is 75-miles from downtownn Tulsa, so Stillwater is included. 

The only Player of the Year nomination that is heading to Oklahoma State has a familiar last name as Wagoner’s Gabe Rodriguez is nominated for Defensive Player of the Yea. Rodriguez helped the Bulldogs to another state championship knocking off unbeaten Cushing in the Class 4A  title game on a last play field goal kicked after his 18-yard run set up the opportunity. Rodriguez is the younger brother of former Oklahoma State and NFL All-Rookie team linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez of the Detroit Lions. 

Twitter @Gabe_Rod2044

Rodriguez shown with his parents on an OSU gameday visit.

Rodriguez bio in the Tulsa World read: Made an impact in all three phases. For a defense that allowed only 50 points in the last eight games, had 85 tackles and three interceptions with a pick-six. On offense scored 18 TDs as he had 63 receptions for 690 yards and 137 carries for 775 yards. His 18-yard run set up the walk-off winning field goal in the 4A final. Had 212 total yards with two TDs and intercepted a pass in a 31-0 playoff win over Ada. Set the tone when with a 71-yard TD return on the opening kickoff. Wagoner coach Dale Condict said, "Gabe was our team leader this season and does everything right on and off the field."

Stillwater running back Noah Roberts was a nominee for World Offensive Player of the Year as the 5-8, 150-pound senior that in uncommitted carried 257 times for 1,888 yards and 28 touchdowns. 

Also uncommitted is Stillwater quarterback Gage Gundy (6-4, 215), an OCA All-State quarterback selected for next summer’s All-State game, Gundy was the second-team punter on the All-World team. 

Twitter (@jamisonmejia16)

Jamison Mejia of Broken Arrow

The first-team All-World selections that are both Oklahoma State scholarship signees are Broken Arrow offensive tackle Jamison Mejia (6-5, 275), Stillwater center JaKobe Sanders (6-3, 305). Sanders is already on campus and is working out and will go through spring football. Tulsa Cascia Hall defensive back Cooper Lai (6-2, 180) is a PWO commitment for the Pokes and he was named second-team All-World. 

One early offer for next season, and in our opinion, the top prospect in the state of Oklahona for 2024 Daniel Okoye, defensive end and athlete from Tulsa NOAH was named honorable mention. He will be a Player of the Year nominee next year.