Oklahoma State Gets New Transfer Portal Pick-Up in Va.Tech Receiver Da'Wain Lofton

STILLWATER – The final decision came down to offensive coordinator and receivers coach Kasey Dunn being worried about depth. Dunn knows he has talent in returning slot receiver Brennan Presley, and wideouts Rashod Owens, Da’Zahun Stribling, Cale Cabbiness, and Talyn Shettron. Shettron and Stribling missed a lot of action last season due to injury. The young pups all look promising but Cam Heard, Tykie Andrews, and Jalen Pope played very little last season. That means the addition of Da’Wain Lofton after his visit this weekend plugs in to give the Cowboys some proven depth from a player that can line up inside and out in the Cowboys offense. 

“Coach Dunn did tell me that I’ll be playing a little bit of both,” Da’Wain (pronounced Day-wan) Lofton told me. “We had a relationship going back to when I was in high school. He has such a great track record of getting the most out of his receivers and some of them moving on to the NFL. It was great talking football. The coaches are so genuine. I got to spend time with Coach Gundy.”

Lofton, who came into college in the 2021 season was never red-shirted and played 11 games as a true freshman. He also played straight through in 2022 as a sophomore, and in 2023 as a junior. So, Lofton has one more season to play, but does have a red-shirt year available if needed. He will finish this semester and graduate at Virginia Tech and be available when he arrives in the summer. 

Virginia Tech Athletics

Da’Wain Lofton on the sidelines at Virginia Tech.

Lofton gets to come back closer to home to finish up his college career. The 5-11, 190 pound receiver has played in 36 games while at Virginia Tech and he started 12 of those games. He finished his career with the Hokies with 35 career receptions for 410-yards with three touchdowns. He has also played special teams where he has made five unassisted tackles. His best career game was against Duke in the 2022 season when he made three catches for 75-yards and a touchdown.

“That wasn’t a big deal coming back closer to home, but it will be cool to be close and play in front of the family,” he added of his decision to head to Oklahoma State.

Lofton can, no doubt, help out, and he serves as somewhat of an insurance policy to make sure the team has enough receivers to keep the rotation going and productive in spring football and going into the 2024 season. 

Lee Luther Jr. USATODAY Sports

Lofton goes up to make a catch against Georgia Tech.

Watching video of Lofton at Virginia Tech. he was capable of moving the chains with receptions, but also could go deep. He has good hands and athleticism. I was also excited to see his blocking ability on both run plays and in the quick passing game. He is not a post up receiver, but his jumping ability allows him to play bigger than he is. 

In the high school ranks at Northside, he posted some huge numbers. He had over 1,600-yards of offense as a senior and led North Side to a 7-3 regular season record and a playoff berth. His junior season was his monster year with 2,022-all-

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lofton at Fort Worth Northside H.S.

purpose-yards and 32 touchdowns. He also played basketball for the Steers and in track had a personal best of 11.48-seconds in the 100-meters. That was the second fastest time in that event in school history.

He was the District 4-5A Special Teams Player of the Year in 2018 as a sophomore, As a junior he was the District 4-5A Most Valuable Players, first-team All-State with the Associated Press, and a first-team All-Area DFW receiver. His senior season he was the District 4-5A Offensive Player of the Year. Over his prep career he had a school record 5,135-all-purpose-yards and 62 total touchdowns.