The Reload: Breaking Down OSU’s Big Recruiting Weekend

Saturday’s spring game in Stillwater was flush with stellar recruits roaming freely at The Boone. From freshmen to soon-to-be seniors on site from various schools around the region, recruits saw quite a show from the Mason Rudolph-led unit that stole a commanding 24-0 win.

The coaching staff made it a point of emphasis to capitalize on the visitors that were on campus. Not only did they land a commitment from a huge name on campus in Bryce Bray, who also held an offer from the University of Oklahoma, but many names on campus picked up scholarship offers as well. Below is a recap of some of the offers this weekend and where things stand with each.

Tyrese Williams – 2018 offensive guard

With two sturdy big men in the fold for 2018 in Bryce Bray and Hunter Anthony, Josh Henson is playing with house money. Bray and Anthony are two big time high school recruits who can play at guard and tackle, respectively, and Williams would be icing on the cake.

The 6-foot-3 Williams is a high school recruit whose traditional position is at center. OSU is the latest offer to go with Utah, Georgia Tech, Tulane, Tulsa, Cal, UCF and others for the Cy Ridge native.

I get the sense that Williams will eventually be uncovered by Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU – the big name Texas schools who will become a factor. But OSU getting in on him before that happens, and getting him on campus for a visit, is especially good news. Power moves only for Henson, who has more than proven his ability as an offensive line recruiter in his early tenure. The emphasis for Henson was to bring in young talent, not junior college talent. And so far he’s delivered incredible results.

Rodney McGraw II – 2018 safety

Oklahoma State was the first Power 5 program to offer Missouri City safety Rodney McGraw II – and thus far the only one. McGraw was offered at the end of March and made the visit to Stillwater this weekend, a sure sign of budding interest for the 6-foot-2 safety.

Also in the mix is Tulane, UTSA, Louisianna-Lafayette and UL-Monroe. OSU is in a good spot right now and should be considered the favorite for the underrated Texas hard-hitter.

Blake Barron – 2018 linebacker commit

One of the early pledges of the 2018 class, Rockwall inside linebacker Blake Barron, made the trip to Stillwater this weekend. He said OSU “felt like home” and on Twitter has been actively recruiting other OSU targets, including 2018 defensive back Tanner McCalister, who we will get to shortly.

Barron is a solid inside linebacker at Rockwall who has been overshadowed some by Alston Orji, another Rockwall inside linebacker who is considered a high four-star recruit. But Barron holds his own. And while he may not draw 20 scholarship offers like Orji or possess the same upside, Barron is going to be a Caleb Lavey-level player for OSU in the middle of the defense. He’s a smart, savvy football player who might not grow to the 6-foot-4 frame Lavey boasted, but he’s every bit as smart.

DeShaun White — Outside Linebacker

After missing out on three-star linebacker Byron Hobbs, who pledged to Texas earlier in the cycle, Oklahoma State extended an offer to Richland High’s DaShaun White — a 6-foot-1 prospect with 13 offers and counting. He is one of the biggest targets for OSU at the moment, and he made the trip to Stillwater this weekend — where he posed with multiple cheerleaders and seemingly had a good time.

White has offers from Texas A&M, TCU, UCLA, Ole Miss and OSU, all of which have poured in during the 2017 calendar year. He is a 2018 prospect.

Kolby Peel — Safety — A&M Consolidated (TX)

Three-star linebacker Kolby Peel has been an OSU target for months now. The 6-foot, 192-pound recruit plays safety and outside linebacker and made the trip this weekend.

Oklahoma State previously held a commitment from his teammate and 2017 cornerback Tyon Merchant; however Merchant decommitted from OSU before signing day and is now Sam Houston State bound.

Sean Michael – 2018 wide receiver / safety

OSU has tried, mostly without success, in raiding Arkansas for its talent defensive backs. Last cycle it was four-star safety Montaric Brown, who stuck with Arkansas despite a late push from OSU. This cycle it’s 2018 defensive back Sean Michael from Charleston High School, who picked up an offer over the weekend.

Unlike Brown, who was a can’t-miss prospect with offers from Alabama, LSU, etc. etc., Michael is a bit of an unknown right now. He’s got offers from Arkansas State, UCA and UMass. He’s an unranked wide receiver/safety, who OSU likes at the safety position.

Tanner McCalister – 2018 defensive back

McCalister is a Rockwall-Heath high school prospect and a clear priority for OSU at cornerback. Oklahoma State does not hold a commitment from a secondary recruit in the 2018 class, and McCalister, at 6-foot with double digit scholarship offers, would be a huge get.

“The first thing that jumps out about McCalister is his upper body strength,” Scout’s talent evaluator Greg Powers said of the rising junior. “He is put together and is able to to overpower some receivers at the line of scrimmage. He could move around in the defensive backfield and could potentially grow into a safety fit, but evaluating him as a cornerback he has great make up speed and can close the gap quickly once a receiver makes a move out of his break to get open. Most players who are as put together as he is are not able to open up to turn and run the same way that McCalister can. He can match-up against bigger receivers and he is a sure tackler when arrives at the football.”

Oklahoma State leads in the defensive back’s crystal ball according to 247Sports, so a commitment could be coming soon.

Demariyon Houston – 2019 wide receiver

There is oodles of talent in Millwood, in case you weren’t aware. And Demariyon Houston might be the best talent at the OKC area school, and OSU recognized it early by extending an offer this weekend.

The 2019 wide receiver has two Division I offers: Ole Miss and Oklahoma State. That, my friends, is how you drum up high level interest. The 6-foot, 2019 prospect will be getting plenty more coming his way soon. He had 32 catches for 942 yards and 13 touchdowns last season as a sophomore.

Branson Bragg – 2019 offensive lineman

Like Tyrese Williams listed above, Bragg is a traditional center. Josh Henson is literally going down the line and recruiting some dudes ­­– Hunter Anthony at tackle, Bray at guard, and now he’s looking for a center.

Bragg is a Crandall, Texas prospect whose first offer came from the University of Tulsa. So OSU is his second scholarship offer, and his first Power 5 offer.

Israel Antwine – 2018 defensive tackle

Antwine is the perfect example of the growing talent in the Sooner state. And yes, another Millwood prospect to watch. Antwine was offered by OSU this past week and he made an unofficial visit to Stillwater for the spring game.

At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, Antwine has already garnered offers from Arkansas State, Missouri, Ole Miss, and TCU. The Oklahoma Sooners might be next.