Oklahoma State’s recruiting footprint is stretching farther than usual this weekend, and one of the visitors set to check out the Cowboys for the Colorado game is a running back from the Pacific Northwest.
Per Rivals, Chrystian Ervin will be in Stillwater for an official visit on Saturday. The 5-10, 205-pound back plays at Silas High School in Tacoma, Wash., and this isn’t his first long trip of the recruiting cycle. He’s already been on the road this month, and this weekend’s stop adds another serious mile marker to a busy stretch.
For Oklahoma State, bringing in a prospect from Washington State is a noticeable step beyond its usual regional reach, especially with the 2028 class in mind. Ervin could wind up being a useful piece of that class if things continue trending his way.
The bigger picture for the Cowboys starts with what happens after this season and, more specifically, after 2027. Recruiting always requires looking ahead, and Oklahoma State has to think about life beyond quarterback Drew Mestemaker as well as the possibility of replacing running back Caleb Hawkins after the 2027 season.
Hawkins will have three years of college football under his belt by then and will be eligible for the NFL Draft. If his current production keeps rolling, he could be gone. The source points to the possibility of three straight 1,000-yard seasons and even a first-round profile, which would make Hawkins’ development a big part of the program’s recruiting pitch.
That matters for Ervin because Oklahoma State’s offense under head coach Eric Morris has already shown it can lean on the run. Even though the Air Raid carries a pass-heavy reputation, Hawkins has helped prove the system can feature a strong ground game.
Ervin’s frame fits that mold, too. He lines up well with Hawkins, who is listed at 6-0 and 219 pounds, and he still has more than a year left in high school to fill out.
Ervin’s route this month has already taken him to Washington State and UTEP, and he has another visit lined up at Eastern Washington at the end of the month. Per 247 Sports, Kansas State is the only school that has offered him so far, though several others have shown interest, including Alabama.
The production is still modest on the surface, but the efficiency is there. MaxPreps lists Ervin with 204 rushing yards through three games on 34 carries, a six-yard average, and one touchdown.
There’s a chance the visit ends with more than just a look around. Ervin could leave Stillwater with an offer, and a strong showing from Hawkins against Colorado would only strengthen the impression Oklahoma State can make on him.
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Oklahoma State Needs Drew Mestemaker For More Than Just A Win
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Mestemaker has already established himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in his class, and his presence matters as much for the future of the room as it does for the matchup ahead. With so many young passers watching closely, Oklahoma State is using this stage to show what the position can look like in its offense, and there is still plenty riding on how the next few days unfold. [Read more 🡒]