Jordan Brailford’s Extra Year Huge for OSU’s Already Deep D-Line

Although it was confirmed by Mike Gundy towards the end of last season, OSU defensive end Jordan Brailford has been officially granted a medical hardship waiver by the NCAA for last season, according to a report by Mark Cooper of the Tulsa World.

Good news for #okstate: DE Jordan Brailford granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. Classified as a redshirt sophomore.

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) April 15, 2017

After an impressive showing in the Sugar Bowl a redshirt freshman, Brailford looked destined for a big role as a sophomore — if not a starting spot. In a losing effort to Ole Miss, Brailford broke out for four tackles and a tackle for loss.  Unfortunately, a second serious leg injury in three years kept Brailford sidelined for all of 2016.

“Hopefully, (Jordan) Brailford, who has been turned loose,” said Mike Gundy prior to the start of spring camp “will be able to develop and sustain the pounding because we really liked him in the Sugar Bowl. We thought he played as well as any of our defensive lineman in the Sugar Bowl and then we lost him to that stress fracture last year. If he’s up and running, he should give us an added lift and he’s really matured as a player.”

The Cowboys are as deep across the defensive line as they’ve been during Mike Gundy’s tenure. But Brailford adds a mixture of size and athleticism that could allow him to stand out from the pack.

And now he officially has three more years of eligibility.

From earlier this spring, “If he stays healthy and plays like he should,” said Gundy “he will be a guy that can impact our defense as much as anybody on the field.”