Kyler Pearson isn't in the Portal! He's a Major Part of Oklahoma State Spring Football

STILLWATER – It was a last second decision on Tuesday. That is the media day each week during spring football and this final Tuesday the Oklahoma State head coach had decided to have the specialists, punters Hudson Kaak and Wes Pahl along with kicker Logan Ward be available to speak to the gathering of reporters including Channel 6 from Tulsa and The Oklahoman and The Tulsa World. As always, Pokes Report was there. When Gundy decided to include kick returner and receiver turned running back Kyler Pearson we jumped in front. Having been at practices we knew the story that with some injuries at running back (no, not Ollie Gordon) the position needed some depth for practice. Pearson, the well traveled mighty mite (5-6, 150 pounds) was asked to step in. 

Pokes Report

from left, Peyton Thompson (OSU), Kyler Pearson (KU), and Jake Henry (OSU) after the 2021 Kansas at OSU game. 

“I had a formation where I did that at Kansas, so I had a little experience,” Pearson said of switching for receiver. “We were kind of beat up at running back and Coach Dunn asked if I would switch and I just said, ‘if that’s what you want me to do, then I’ll do it.’ Whatever they want me to do then I will do it. I’m here for the team.”

That is Pearson, this guy may not be big in stature, but his heart is way larger than average in a figurative sense. Shortly after we began talking, the defensive linemen broke up their position group postpractice huddle and as they all walked past, guys like Collin Oliver, Justin Kirkland, Collin Clay, Iman Oates started chirping and razzing Pearson. It was not out of jealosy, envy, or ridicule. It was out of admiration. Those guys go against Pearson and they know how tough he is and what a competitor he is.

“He’s earned their respect. He’s a tough guy and those players know it,” head coach Mike Gundy said. “They know he will do whatever he is asked to do. They respect him and they appreciate him. That is how it works. I know they love that he is getting some attention and publicity because they believe he deserves it.”

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Pearson has been hard to bring down.

“Right there, that was a really big jump for him going from receiver to running back,” special teams captain and safety Parker Robertson said. ‘He had a whole new offense to learn and props to him for doing it that quick. He is pretty good.” 

He is pretty good. No, he’s not that big, but this spring after moving to running back he has played bigger. His story starts after an excellent high school career at powerhouse Tulsa Union. 

“I got offered going into my senior year (Tulsa Union) by Les Miles at Kansas,” Pearson recapped. “I went there and had a pretty good year. I got to play as a freshman (2020) as a kick returner. That was the COVID year, unfortunately Les MIles got fired, that whole staff got fired. A new staff came in and I played through that year (2021), same thing, kick returner and I got in a little bit on offense that year.

UT-Martin Athletics

Pearson transferred from KU to UT-Martin.

“Going into that next year (2022) the head coach (Lance Leipold) said, ‘I really think we should go our separate ways. I really don’t think you’ll fit in our offense.’ He wanted to take me off scholarship,” Pearson clarified. “I was like I don’t want to sit back and catch kicks for free. I see why everybody had opinions, but he (Leipold) didn’t want me there, so why would I stay there.”

Pearson leaned on a relationship from the staff that recruited him and transferred to UT-Martin where he had one punt return for nine-yards. The Skyhawks valued him for the future.

“I went to Tennessee-Martin and I played in the first four games and then they thought it would be a good idea to red-shirt me,” Pearson explained. “That season my dad got kind of sick, and we made a family decision that if I could find a way to get closer to home then I would.”

He worked at it. Pearson even went to a University of Tulsa football camp. A prospect camp with a bunch of high school seniors and a few junior college players. It was a weird thing to be attending at his age. His size had coaches feeling he was that age and was kind of small. His performance changed their minds.

“I did pretty good and luckliy my high school coach was there and he called Coach (Kasey) Dunn and Coach Dunn called back that same day,” Pearson explained. “He said if you want to walk on here we’d like to have you. I said that was good with me. I was ineligible last year being it was that third transfer. It was worth it. I love this place. I love this culture. Everybody welcomed me with open arms.”

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Pearson is a valuable player everyday in practice.

He was a valuable player on the scout teams last fall. He was more experienced and more explosive than many of the scout teamers. He was a veteran presence among the scout team receivers that included much of the season the talented freshmen trio of Tykie Andrews, Jalen Pope, and Cam Heard. They came back to the varsity offense later in the year benefitting from lessons from Pearson. 

Then there is the spring and Pearson’s tough, admirable, and productive performance running some second, third,and fourth team running back. Pearson said his dad’s illness is better and a change in prescription has him feeling better. Imagine their surprise and the surprise of coaches and teammates when after this recent portal cycle opened and Pearson was listed as in the transfer portal.

When I reported it on radio, I received an immediate text message for head coach Mike Gundy saying that Pearson was not in the portal and wouldn’t ever be. The head coach has always valued high intensity and determined walk-ons. He makes sure they know it. Pearson is among his favorites.

Pearson knows it. He was also looking to get the correction out there.

“I woke up that morning that I tweeted it out and my dad and brother had text me and asked why I was in the portal? I’m not in the portal,” I told them. “I don’t plan on going anywhere, so I had to tweet that out. I don’t know how that got on On3. This is home and this is where I want to be.”

Get ready, Pearson will play this season. That appreciation shown by his teammates and coaches is not just for the little guy that has done good. It is knowing that they have another player that will contribute. It will definitely be on special teams and as a returner. He is proven in that area. It may be with some time as a receiver. Don’t be surprised if he gets a carry or two late in some contest. He has proven he can do it.

“I can definitely tell there has been a mood switch on how people treat me,” Pearson said. “I’m a small guy and undersized. I’m out there taking a beating, but I’m giving them a beating too. I know I’ve earned those defensive guys respect.”

He has everybody’s respect and the proof comes in the form of a incorrect transferportal entry. There are some players that could happen to without much notice. As we’ve seen, Kyler Pearson is not one of those.