Oklahoma State is losing one of its more promising young defenders to the transfer portal, as sophomore safety Landyn Cleveland has officially announced his intention to explore new opportunities.
Cleveland, a former standout from Mansfield Legacy High School in Dallas, was part of the Cowboys’ 2024 recruiting class and came in with solid buzz. Ranked as the No. 631 overall prospect nationally and a Top 100 player in the state of Texas, he chose Oklahoma State over offers from major programs like Penn State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Auburn, and Arkansas. That kind of offer sheet tells you what kind of upside he brought to Stillwater.
On the field, Cleveland made a noticeable jump in his second year with the program. After seeing action in eight games as a freshman and recording three tackles, he stepped into a larger role this season, finishing with 33 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. While those numbers don’t leap off the page, they show a player who was starting to find his rhythm in the Cowboys’ secondary - a young safety getting real reps and showing flashes of the playmaker he could become.
But Cleveland’s decision to enter the portal comes at a time of major change in Stillwater. Oklahoma State is in the middle of a significant roster shakeup following the dismissal of longtime head coach Mike Gundy back in September.
That move triggered a 30-day transfer window, and the recent hiring of North Texas head coach Eric Morris adds another layer to the transition. Morris is expected to bring a new vision and identity to the program, but he’s also facing immediate challenges - particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Safety, in particular, has become a position of urgent need. Cleveland marks the sixth safety from Oklahoma State’s season-opening roster to either enter the portal or declare their intention to do so. That’s a staggering amount of turnover at one position group and leaves Morris and his staff with a steep hill to climb as they begin rebuilding the back end of the defense.
For Cleveland, the move opens the door to a fresh start - one that could align better with his long-term development and goals. For Oklahoma State, it’s another reminder that the modern college football landscape waits for no one. Between coaching changes, shifting schemes, and the ever-active transfer portal, roster stability is becoming harder and harder to come by.
The Cowboys will need to be aggressive in the coming weeks. Whether that means dipping into the portal themselves or leaning on incoming recruits, the secondary - and safety in particular - will need reinforcements, and fast.
As for Cleveland, he’ll be a name to watch wherever he lands next. With two years of eligibility remaining and real in-game experience under his belt, he could be a valuable addition to a program looking for help in the defensive backfield.