Five Long-Shot Targets Oklahoma State Could Potentially Land in 2018

OSU’s 12-man recruiting class has climbed the national rankings up to No. 14 following the latest commitment of Dallas area safety Kanion Williams. Although it’s just May, this is prime time for OSU to grab momentum on the trail before the summer starts as the countdown to signing day ticks away. With a new December signing period, time is of the essence to fill the class.

If you’re looking strictly at ranking-by-recruit average, this class has set the bar and is ahead of some of OSU’s best classes under Gundy. Its current 86.00 recruit average is better than 2010’s 85.59 average which included Joe Randle, Shaun Lewis and Justin Gilbert, better than the 2007 class that had Dez Bryant and Richetti Jones (84.60 average), and better than the 2011 class that signed heralded four-star prospects J.W. Walsh, Josh Stewart and Herschel Sims (85.16 average).

What could improve that metric for this class? Better (higher-rated) recruits, obviously. With two bonafide four-stars in the fold in C.J. Moore and Spencer Sanders, here’s a look at some big names OSU is still in on and could potentially land in 2018. To be clear, these prospects represent a wish list more than a realistic list of candidates who I think will join the class.

Keaontay Ingram — Four-star running back

One of the top overall prospects in Texas, Keaontay Ingram, has played his recruitment tight to the vest. He’s not dropped a list of top schools, he doesn’t announce on Twitter when another school has offered — even though he has nearly 30 scholarships from Division I schools waiting on him — and he’s flown under the radar compared to other top talents.

“Not really at this point, but I’ll drop my top 10 soon,” Ingram said about who he has in his top group to Scout. “I might commit instead of doing my top 10. I don’t really know.”

OSU tried to add to his recruiting web by recently offering a scholarship to his younger brother, but at this point it still appears to be a longshot. He has Texas as his favorite and is getting the full court press from LSU, Michigan Notre Dame and others.

John Wozniak gave up his Cinco de Mayo to recruit him, but it might not be enough.

Mustapha Muhammad — Four-star tight end

Four-star tight end Mustapha Muhammad is set to announce his list of top 10 schools … today.

OSU could (and should) make that cut, although the Pokes already have one commitment in the class at the position. Muhammad has been in contact for a year-plus since Jason McEndoo took over Cowboy Back duties in Stillwater, and I think that will play a major factor.

Right now, the consensus is that Texas, Michigan, Clemson, Florida State, LSU and Texas A&M will all likely land in his top schools. He visited OSU for junior day earlier this spring, though, and he’s a guy you take no matter the scholarship distribution if he chose OSU.

Darrell Simpson — Four-star offensive tackle

One of my bold predictions for the 2018 cycle was that OSU would land four-star offensive lineman Darrell Simpson, who was born in Stillwater. The Sooners are the favorite according to 247Sports, but the makings are there for the Cowboys to come away as unlikely winners.

OSU has already landed one offensive lineman over the Sooners in the 2018 cycle, after all.

J.W. Walsh laid the groundwork for the Cowboys when he was in Stillwater by personally recruiting him. Wouldn’t it be something if the 6-foot-7 tackle from Texas spurned offers from LSU, Ohio State and Texas A&M to block for Justice Hill and Chuba Hubbard in Stillwater?

Emmit Gooden — Three-star defensive tackle

Following an unofficial visit to Stillwater this past weekend, former Mississippi State signee Emmit Gooden came away impressed with Gundy and his coaching staff.

“It was a great visit,” Gooden told PFB this week. “I had a chance to sit down with Coach Gundy and hear him out along with Coach [Joe Bob] Clements and Coach [Glenn] Spencer. Just sat down with them to see what they had planned for me, and checked out OSU. Overall I liked the campus, I liked the academics, and I liked the stadium and facilities.”

Gooden said he was impressed with OSU’s plan to deploy him inside and liked the “old school” feel of the coaching staff and, specifically, Gundy and Glenn Spencer. He has OSU in his top 20 schools, and with a positive visit, OSU could be in line to make the next cut for Gooden, who is expected to graduate in December.

DaShaun White — Three-star outside linebacker

Although White has garnered 20-plus offers, OSU was among the schools he named that were standing out in his recruitment to Rivals.

“Believe it or not, I actually have my best relationship with [graduate assistant Andre Sexton],” he said. “He’s been talking to me since one of my games last season and started recruiting me early … He’s a coach that makes me feel at home, so with that, that’s really the biggest thing for me.

A&M Consolidated safety Kolby Peel will likely play at outside linebacker for OSU, but a recruit the caliber of White is a must-take, much like Muhammad as listed above. If White spurned offers from OU, UCLA and Texas A&M to commit to OSU, it would be one of the a great recruiting coup for Glenn Spencer at the linebacker position.