The Reload: Top 10 Lists to Watch and New Pass-Rushing Offers

The Reload is PFB’s recruiting recap, catching you up to speed on the latest news and rumors regarding Oklahoma State recruiting.

Anfernee Orji offer – 2019 OLB/Safety

Oklahoma State might be looking to capitalize on a family connection to land a brotherly duo of recruits. This week, the staff extended an offer to 2019 outside linebacker Anfernee Orji of Rockwall, Texas, the younger brother of 2018 linebacker target Alston Orji. The younger Orji holds offers from Baylor, Vanderbilt and Utah. He’s rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and a four-star recruit at Scout.

NaNa Osafo-Mensah offer — 2019 defensive end

One of the top recruits in the great state of Texsas has been offered by OSU this week. Four-star pass rusher NaNa Osafo-Mensah (try typing that five times fast!), an outside linebacker and edge rusher, is the recipient of the Cowboys offer.

The OSU offer is his eleventh already, and OSU joins a top-heavy list that includes UCLA, Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma and USC. From Scout, here’s a projection of where he’ll likely play at the next level.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound standout from Nolan Catholic in Fort Worth, Texas, fits the edge defender role, likely best as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but possesses good athleticism and frame potential and could provide scheme- and position-versatility. [Scout]

Jaylen Waddle top 10 coming soon

One of the biggest names on the recruiting board under Marcus Arroyo is set to announce his top 10 soon, four-star athlete Jaylen Waddle announced this week. Waddle is a 5-foot-10 speedster who can play a number of positions, but is likely suited best as a slot receiver and tailback combo man. He’s a speedster without a position but an athletic freak built like Tyreek Hill.

I would expect Oklahoma State to make the list for Waddle if he whittles it down to 10 schools, but I don’t think OSU is a serious contender at this point in the game. Oregon, Texas and Florida State are all vying for his services — and I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see him head to Eugene, following Arroyo to Oregon.

Lyn-J Dixon top 10 coming soon

Lyn-J Dixon is a big name on OSU’s radar, especially because OSU has not landed a running back in the 2018 class. Now the coaches might get a better idea of where they stand with Dixon, a three-star tailback from Butler, Georgia, as he’s set to announce his top 10 soon as well. According to Scout, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, LSU, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and Michigan are recruiting him hardest.

Dixon rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior last season. I fully expect OSU to make his top 10 when it comes out.

Name to watch: Offensive lineman Darrell Simpson

Oklahoma State’s 2018 class already holds four committed offensive linemen, but Josh Henson might not be done yet. According to one source, OSU feels good about where they stand with four-star offensive tackle Darrell Simpson — a top-150 national recruit and the No. 16 prospect in the state of Texas.

Simpson recently cut his list to eight schools, naming OSU, OU, Ohio State, Arkansas, LSU, Texas A&M, TCU and Ole Miss among that group.

Although Simpson is a Texas resident, he’s actually a Stillwater native who was ‘born in Stillwater right by Boomer Lake,’ he told Scout last year.

During an unofficial visit two seasons ago, Simpson was recruited by the man himself, General J.W. Walsh.

“I also had the chance to speak with J.W. Walsh, the quarterback, and he advised me it was a great school and he would love to see me attend Oklahoma State University.”

It’s too early to get excited about a potential commitment, but he’s a name to watch moving forward and into the summer. If OSU were to land him, he would become the highest rated offensive lineman to ever commit to the Pokes, and the sixth-highest rated recruit in the Gundy era. So it would be a huge deal.