Owasso's Overton Staying Committed, but Recruiting and Roster Future is in Major Flux
STILLWATER – What was once a strong recruiting class of 16 commitments that included the best running back, best athlete, best two defensive linemen, best linebacker, and one of the best offensive linemen in Oklahoma is now in tatters. Oklahoma State still has two four-star defensive linemen committed, but those have to be considered soft commitments. The dismissal of head coach Mike Gundy has cued other schools to scamble and intensify their recruiting efforts on Oklahoma State pledges.
We know that Jenks running back Kaydin “KD” Jones has de-committed. Joining Jones are Berryhill offensive tackle Aiden Martin, Edmond Santa Fe defensive end Landen Anderson, Owasso safety Carter Langenderfer, and Bixby linebacker Trey McGlothlin in-state. Out-of-state pledges that have opened up their recruiting again include quarterback Kase Evans of Lexington, Texas; receiver Jabarie Thornton of Waco (LaVega), Texas; cornerback Josiah Vilmael of Fort Bend (Travis), Texas; and corner Maliek Bracy of Argyle, Texas never announced a pledge he made on his recent visit weekend.
That leaves four-star defensive linemen in tackle Danny Beale of Cherry Valley (Cross Country), Ark; and Tahj Overton from Owasso, Okla; tight end Bryton Niu of Lehi, Utah, offensive lineman Sunia Vuki of Folsom, Calf; linebacker Landon Bland of Carthage, Mo; cornerback Brandon Ford of Crowley, Texas; and safety/athlete Braeden Presley of Bixby.
Seven commits and again, those have to be considered loose. Beale, Overton, and Presley are a trio that will be heavily pursued and pressured to look at other options.
Todd Bradford and the Oklahoma State recruiting staff meet daily and are putting the work into staying connected and informing all of the commitments, those still in the circle and those out, as to what is going on and what they can expect. All of the recruits have told Bradford, other OSU coaches or recruiters, or Pokes Report that they will try to be in position to speak with the new head coach and give the Cowboys a chance to re-recruit them.
Danny Beale III is the highest-ranked recruit, followed by Tajh Overton and that pair have been the most optimistic although lots of competition. Beale has the likes of Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi State, and Mississippi among some 25 other offers.
Overton told Eric Bailey of The Tulsa World this week he is still committed.
“I’m still committed,” said Overton adding he is not planning any other school visits and talks regularly with OSU coaches.”We just talk about how I’m doing and stuff. We still talk football.
“(The firing) is super unfortunate and it’s a hard thing to watch, for sure,” he added.
Carter Langenderfer gave Bailey a different perspective.
“It was very unfortunate,” Langenderfer said to The World. “Especially with all that Coach Gundy has built there — during the last 21 years, he’s been the head coach — and it’s unfortunate that it happened before he got to coach me.”
He added that he spoke to Oklahoma State recruiting analyst Cam O’Neill before deciding to re-open his recruiting. Tulsa has been very aggressive with him.
Kase Evans visited Iowa State last weekend and the Cyclones offered shortly after Evans spoke with Oklahoma State quarterback coach Kevin Johns and opened up his recruiting again.
Berryhill’s Aiden Martin communicated with recruiting analyst Zach Allen before announcing he was de-committed. He has 11 offers, but two of his top schools, Oklahoma State and Arkansas, have coach openings.
Landon Bland came in for an unofficial visit for the Baylor game. He is playing very well this season, and so far has stayed committed.
The hope would be that Oklahoma State can get a coach at least by the first Monday after the end of the season and have a week to crash course back into the recruiting process.
As Pokes Report has stated each time in discussing head coach candidates, the hire needs to be a good recruiter armed with player of his own that will follow him and the ability to make quick connections in recruiting and a staff, whether already at OSU or that he brings with him, studied up on the portal options for January.
