The Green Sea Continues to Flow to Stillwater as Jackson and Vailea Commit to OSU
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State has 18 commitments or signees now out of the recently opened NCAA Transfer Portal and 15 of those are from North Texas meaning they are joining new head coach Eric Morris and his staff, many of whom came from North Texas. The two most recent on MNonday afternoon (Jan. 5) are defensive tackle Fatafehi Vailea II and safety Evan Jackson.
Jackson is a 5-11, 183 pound senior to be that has played a lot of football for the Mean Green since coming to Denton out of high school powerhouse Galena Park North Shore in Houston. For the Mustangs in high school he helped them to a 15-1 record and was a two-time All-District 21-6A player as both a defensive back and returner. He was second-team All-State as a senior.
This past season when North Texas played for the American Conference Championship and finished 12-2, Jackson had two key interceptions. he finished with 44 tackles, 28 unassisted, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, and two other passes defended as he played in all 14 games. For his career he has 130 tackles, 89 unassisted with six interceptions and 13 passes defended.
Vailea II is a 6-1, 292 pound graduate transfer that is originally from Oakland, Calf. and played at Desert Pines High School outside of Las Vegas, Nev.
This past season Vailea II was injured and only played in four games with 10 tackles, five unassisted and a fumble caused. As a junior in the 2024 season he played in 13 games and started seven of those. He had 34 tackles, 4.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He had a season high seven tackles and 1.5 sacks in the First Responder Bowl vs. Texas State.
His senior season in high school was conceled due to COVID, but his bloodline stood out as his cousin Amini Silatolu played in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears.
These two, Jackson and Vailea II, are two of 15 North Texas players now on the Oklahoma State roster. It all started last week with quarterback and the nation’s leading passer Drew Mestemaker. The Cowboys added running back Caleb Hawkins and receiver Wyatt Young to get the offensive triplets from UNT to Oklahoma State.
Now with Jackson and Vailea II there are five defenders in total and that also includes edge rusher and defensive end Keviyan Huddleston and safety Quinton Hammonds and corner Kollin Lewis.
