Odaefe Oruru’s flip to Oklahoma State last week gave the Cowboys a jolt, and it may have done more than just strengthen the 2027 class on paper.
The Jenks, Okla., offensive lineman had been committed to Arkansas, but he told Mike Roach of 247Sports (subscription required) that staying close to home mattered to him. He also made clear what stood out about Oklahoma State: “… Oklahoma State is building something special here and I wanted to be a part of it. I'm not even there yet and they are already telling me what I need to improve on and trying to improve me as a player and as a man.”
That kind of message is exactly what Mike Gundy’s staff is trying to sell during fall camp, even if recruits like Oruru can’t attend. The camp wrapped up this weekend, and around the state, the coverage has painted a picture of a program trying to reset under Morris and climb back into contention.
The Cowboys’ 2027 class had already picked up momentum in May and June before hitting a quiet stretch. Jayden Vessell, a three-star edge rusher from Baton Rouge Catholic in Baton Rouge, La., became the next addition in late July and brought another Top 100 national edge prospect into the fold. Before Oruru’s commitment, Choctaw, Okla., linebacker Israel Hammons was the only four-star in the class.
Oruru’s decision gave Oklahoma State an immediate bump in the rankings, too. The Cowboys moved from No. 16 to No. 14 in 247Sports.com’s Big 12 recruiting rankings for 2027.
Even from a distance, there was plenty for recruits to notice in camp. Morris built the roster around 92 new transfers, with most battling for two-deep spots. At the same time, he was also talking openly about the Class of 2026, including former Jenks teammate KD Jones, and making it clear freshmen will have a real chance to play because of the new age-based eligibility rule that eliminates redshirts.
That’s the kind of message that lands with recruits. The pitch is simple: if you’re good enough to help now, Morris will find a way to get you on the field.
For Oruru, that was enough to help seal the flip. And if Oklahoma State starts winning games, it could matter even more with other Class of 2027 targets this fall.
In Other News...
Oklahoma States Captain Picks Reveal Where This Rebuild Really Stands
As Oklahoma State gets ready for its season opener against Tulsa, the Cowboys have settled on seven captains, a group that says plenty about where the program is right now. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, punter Lachie Pozzobon, safety Quinton Hammonds, running back Caleb Hawkins, offensive lineman Jacob Sexton, linebacker Ethan Wesloski and defensive end Jaleel Johnson will lead the team into a new season shaped by turnover and a coaching change.
The mix is notable because so much of the roster has been remade, and the captaincy reflects that fresh start as much as it does on-field roles. There is some continuity in the group, but the broader picture is a team leaning on new faces to set the tone right away, which makes the opener against Tulsa feel like more than just a first game. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Recruiting Momentum Is Suddenly Starting To Feel Real
Under Eric Morris, Oklahoma States work on the 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes is starting to look less like early board-building and more like a real push to change the programs trajectory. Landing offensive tackle Odaefe Oruru, a four-star prospect, gave the Cowboys a needed jolt and added some credibility to the new staffs pitch as it tries to build a foundation for the next wave of rosters in Stillwater.
The encouraging part for Oklahoma State is that Oruru does not appear to be a one-off. The Cowboys are still chasing several other targets, including linebacker-safety prospect Carter Akin and cornerback Elijah Smith, and both names suggest the staff is casting a wide but purposeful net on defense as it works to stack visits and keep momentum moving. For a program trying to establish itself quickly under a new coach, the real test now is whether the early buzz turns into a run of additions. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State May Have Found An Overlooked Piece In Its Rebuild
When Oklahoma State went shopping for help in its rebuild, Shaun Torgeson was not the sort of transfer who arrived with much buzz. The former Portland State lineman, who had started at left tackle for the Vikings, came in as more of a project than a priority, but he quickly began changing that perception once spring practice and summer workouts got rolling.
What has caught the staff's attention is how fast Torgeson has adapted, along with the physical tools that are already showing up on the field. His strength and athleticism have stood out in the early stages, and he has also shown a quick ability to process information, the kind of trait that can speed up a lineman's path from overlooked addition to real factor in a new-look offense. [Read more 🡒]