Which Oklahoma State Freshmen Already Look Ready to Play?
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It's a different world for true freshmen now that the NCAA has changed the rules around student-athlete eligibility.
The NCAA's new age-based eligibility model, the so-called “five-for-five,” has eliminated redshirts except in extreme circumstances. That means plenty to Oklahoma State's incoming freshmen, who have been a part of the Cowboys fall workouts the past two weeks.
Normally, head coach Eric Morris and his staff would be figuring out which freshman can play and which freshmen should be redshirted. The new rule means Morris can play his freshmen as a starter or backup— if they earn the playing time — and not worry about burning redshirts. It also means the freshmen have incentive to work hard for the opportunity.
Here are the three that appear the closest to playing right away.
RB KD Jones
Jones had the most productive prep career of any of Morris’ Class of 2026 recruits, and it stands to reason that he could be ready to contribute in some way. The first-year head coach said he wants to use four or five different backs to help lessen the load on starter Caleb Hawkins. Jones is in the mix, and he has the talent and production to land a rotation role right away.
He played his high school ball at Oklahoma prep power Jenks, where he set program records for rushing yards (4,742), all-purpose yards (5,798), rushing touchdowns (67) and total touchdowns. Morris must find ways to leverage it.
WR Jabarie Thornton
He’s another prep star with a high-level record for production, this time at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. Morris has talked about how quickly Thornton has taken to the offense. He’s not in line to be a starter. But he has a good chance to earn a rotation role and help as a return man.
He posted two straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Pirates in his final two seasons. His senior year was incredible. He had 83 receptions for 1,176 yards and 16 touchdowns. The year before, he had 76 catches for 1,367 yards and 15 touchdowns. That season he also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
All the raw materials are there for 10-15 plays per game along with a four-unit special teamer.
WR Dayvon Standard
The Goodyear, Ariz., native didn’t join the program until the summer, but he’s made quite the impression on Morris for one reason — height. At 6-4, the only receiver taller than him is Justin Bowick, who is 6-5 and an expected starter. Morris is thrilled with how quickly Standard has picked up the offense even though he didn’t get the head start most freshmen got in the spring.
He only played six games as a senior and caught 23 passes but scored 10 touchdowns. He’s an ideal red zone target who also has experience returning kickoffs and going up for footballs due to his basketball experience. He was even a triple jumper in high school. Like Thornton, he could quickly find a spot in a rotation with Bowick due to his size and work on multiple special teams units.
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Matthew Postins is the publisher of Oklahoma State on SI. He is an award-winning sports journalist who was formerly the editor of the College Football America Yearbook and covers the Big 12 Conference for Heartland College Sports.
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