Several months into the official 2018 recruiting cycle, Oklahoma State’s ace recruiters have shined. Josh Henson has reeled in some dudes on the offensive line, highlighted by robbing in-state offensive tackle Bryce Bray from the Sooners this past week. And Mike Yurcich, the QB whisperer, already locked in the top quarterback prospect in Texas.
However other areas of emphasis for the 2018 class, primarily at the running back position, still have yet to be filled. New running backs coach John Wozniak has been hot on the trail for several uncommitted prospects. But running back recruiting is a different beast, as most prospects tend to commit later in the process. So who are OSU’s current top targets? When can we expect a commitment? I’ll try to answer all that and more below.
Lyn-J Dixon
Dixon is the guy for OSU right now, and Wozniak is coming hard for him. The three-star recruit from Georgia holds offers from Alabama, LSU, Georgia, etc, however those offers came quite awhile ago. Large schools like that fill spots quickly, so Dixon might already be looking elsewhere. 247sports predicts he lands at Tennessee at the moment.
Other big name schools have jumped into the mix since OSU began its pursuit, with Michigan State, Indiana, Texas and Notre Dame all extending offers since March. Right now OSU remains in the mix, and he’s expected to make a visit in the summer or during the football season, a source close to Dixon indicated. However a decision likely won’t come until after his senior season.
Keaontay Ingram
As you can see from his 247sports crystal ball indicator, Ingram is a 100 percent Texas lean. Out of Carthage, Texas, Ingram is a talent that is being pursued by more than 30 schools and ranks as a consensus four-star prospect among recruiting services. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he’s going to be an instant impact recruit wherever he chooses.
OSU has been in for Ingram since the jump, however the connection between OSU and him is still a work-in-progress. OSU is working tirelessly to grab his attention while the likes of OU, Arkansas, Texas, and UCLA are banging down his door.
Andrew Cunningham
Cunningham was offer No. 1 when Marcus Arroyo bounced, and he was offered before Wozniak was even hired. Cunningham, a highly-rated three-star prospect from Tampa, Fla., has 32 reported Division I scholarship offers.
As a 6-foot, 215-pound recruit from the Sunshine State, Cunningham naturally has interest in the southeast with the likes of Louisville, Kentucky, USF, etc. If he remains under the radar from Florida State, Alabama and other big name schools in his region, OSU might be able to stay in the mix. But he seems like a longshot at this point.
One to watch …..
Ta’Zhawn Henry
OSU hasn’t offered yet, but Henry has already named the Cowboys in his top schools. The 3-star recruit, listed at 5-foot-7 and 157 pounds, is an upcoming senior and part of the 2018 recruiting class. He’s also got llinois, Oregon State, Washington, Colorado, Baylor, Iowa State, Houston, Texas A&M, Clemson, Texas and Utah in his top schools. If OSU offers, it will be a factor.
Although other positions like offensive line and quarterback have been filled, I don’t expect a commitment on the horizon for OSU among this group of targets. However I would expect OSU to land a commitment before the end of the summer, especially as evaluation period continues and the staff unearths hidden gems.
