For much of this recruiting cycle, the spotlight in Stillwater has been on the offense. Now the other side of the ball is starting to stack wins, too.
Oklahoma State picked up its second flip in as many days, landing cornerback J’lynnd Kellow for its Class of 2027. Kellow, a three-star defensive back from Willis High School in Willis, Texas, had been pledged to Mississippi State. He is listed at 6-2 and 180 pounds.
Rivals reported the flip and Kellow reposted the report. According to 247Sports.com, Kellow is the No. 108 cornerback in the country and the No. 145 recruit in Texas.
The move adds another sign that Oklahoma State’s recruiting momentum is building again in the Big 12.
Kellow told Rivals.com that he felt he had a chance to contribute as a true freshman next season. That path looks open. Several cornerbacks on the roster are in their final season of eligibility, including starter Mo Horn, and head coach Eric Morris has said he’ll play the best players regardless of experience.
The Kellow commitment followed Wednesday’s flip of linebacker Bryson Brown, a Stillwater, Okla., native who had been committed to Baylor. Brown’s change of heart came after Baylor fired Dave Aranda on Sunday, but Oklahoma State’s recent surge likely played a part as well.
Brown has spent the past two seasons watching his hometown team spiral in the Big 12. The Cowboys were 3-9 in 2024 and 1-11 in 2025, a run that ended Mike Gundy’s tenure and opened the door for Morris. If Oklahoma State had not entered Saturday’s game with Iowa State at 5-2 and in contention for the Big 12 Championship game, Brown might have stayed with Baylor even after the coaching change.
Both Brown and Kellow are expected to be Cowboys when the early signing period arrives in December, though those commitments are non-binding.
On defense, Oklahoma State is showing real progress under first-year coordinator Skyler Cassity. Last year’s unit was among the worst in college football, but it has been turned into a much stronger group in one season. Linebacker Ethan Wesloski and cornerback LaDainian Fields are both trending toward All-Big 12 honors, and Fields’ rise stands out because he came over from last year’s roster.
Kellow and Brown are part of a deeper defensive class that also includes another Bryson Brown, a safety from Broken Arrow, Okla.
The rest of that group features Franklin Road Academy (Nashville, TN) defensive lineman Keilan Neal, Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic edge rusher Jayden Vessell, Choctaw (Okla.) linebacker Israel Hammons and Trinity (Euless, Texas) High School safety Chayce Davis.
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Suddenly Has A Tough Iowa State Decision To Make
Oklahoma States first player availability report for the Iowa State game offered an early look at how thin the margin can get late in the season. Tight end Carson Kolb will miss the matchup after suffering a left foot injury against Colorado, while safety Quinton Hammonds, wide receiver Dayvon Standard and defensive tackle Landon Dean are listed as questionable. Cornerback Beni Ngoyi, defensive end Caden Crawford and defensive tackle Ka'Mori Moore are already ruled out, giving the Cowboys a short list of healthy options at several spots.
That leaves Eric Morris and his staff sorting through the tight end depth chart with more urgency than they likely wanted heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight. Morris addressed the injury situation and said lineup changes are on the table at tight end, where Oklahoma State will need to piece together a plan without Kolb and manage the ripple effects elsewhere on offense. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State's Recruiting Surge Just Picked Up Another Intriguing Sign
Bryson Browns decision gives Oklahoma State another notable win on the recruiting trail, and it comes with a bit of local flavor. The linebacker from Stillwater had been on Baylors commitment list before ending up with the Cowboys, a move that adds to the sense that Oklahoma States momentum under Eric Morris is starting to show up beyond the field.
Brown is the second defensive player to commit to Oklahoma State in recent days, giving the Cowboys a noticeable lift on that side of the ball. The timing matters, too, with Baylor moving on from Dave Aranda and Oklahoma States strong start under its new coach helping create a more appealing picture for recruits who are looking at stability, opportunity and a program on the rise. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Opens With A Backcourt Question Fans Can't Ignore
Steve Lutz gave Oklahoma State a clearer picture of its backcourt situation as the Cowboys head into the season opener against Incarnate Word. Kanye Clary has been working his way back from a groin injury and was limited to non-contact work, while Luka Bogavac appears to be moving in the right direction as the opener approaches. For a team trying to settle in early, the guard rotation is one of the first storylines worth watching.
Lutz also pointed to turnovers as an issue the Cowboys need to clean up, a reminder that the opener is about more than just getting bodies on the floor. He praised the progress of Jacob Walker and Julius Halaifonua, two players whose development could matter quickly if Oklahoma State has to sort through lineup choices on the fly. [Read more 🡒]