Oklahoma State lost six defensive linemen via the portal but replace the attrition with 12 of their own through the portal and commitments
Oklahoma State had several issues on defense before Clint Bowen took over in the 2025 season.
Even after Bowen took over, this Oklahoma State defense was still about as porous as a 1970’s saltwater boat with no prior treatment.
I mean, the Cowboys still only managed to win one game, so it wasn’t that sweet, let’s be honest. Even as the offense could barely manage to walk, they’d have been doing good to slightly jog for a rare first down or overcome a three-and-out.
As famous Stillwater lore goes (if you know, you know), the 2025 Oklahoma State defense had more holes to fill than Lisa Ann.
That being said, Eric Morris and staff are working to plug those holes like Billy Mays with a tube of Flex Seal.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of new joiners on the Cowboy defensive front for the 2026 season.
INCOMING:
Keviyan Huddleston - Junior - 3 Star - North Texas
- Keviyan Huddleston, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound edge rusher from Tyler, Texas, brings significant pass-rushing prowess to the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ defense for the 2026 season after transferring from North Texas.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2025, Huddleston led the Mean Green with 5.0 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss across 14 games, while recording 31 total tackles and two fumble recoveries, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses behind the line of scrimmage.
His transfer reunites him with former North Texas head coach Eric Morris, now at OSU, amid a pipeline of players moving from Denton to Stillwater.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Huddleston is poised to bolster a Cowboys defensive line that struggled with quarterback pressure in recent seasons, potentially starting or rotating heavily in edge roles.
His quick first step, strength in shedding blocks, and proven production against American Athletic Conference competition could translate well to the Big 12, adding depth and veteran presence to a unit undergoing transition under new leadership.
Expect Huddleston to contribute immediately in third-down situations, helping elevate OSU’s sack totals and overall defensive aggression.
Also, who doesn’t love a good Stone Cold Steve Austin Celebration? Bring it to Stilly!
Fatafehi Vailea - Senior - 3 Star - North Texas
- Fatafehi Vailea, a graduate transfer defensive tackle from North Texas, brings valuable experience and depth to the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ defensive line for the 2026 season.
Listed at approximately 6-1 and 292 pounds, Vailea spent five seasons with the Mean Green, appearing in 42 games with 30 starts.
His career totals include around 93 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, showcasing his ability to disrupt plays in the interior.
In 2025, Vailea started the first four games, recording 15 tackles and forcing a fumble before a season-ending injury cut his campaign short.
Despite the setback, his prior consistency, often starting double-digit games in full seasons, shows reliability as a rotational or potential starter.
As a sixth-year senior in 2026, Vailea adds veteran presence to the OSU front, helping bolster run defense, generate interior pressure, and provide stability amid the Cowboys’ roster rebuild under new coaching influences.
His physicality and proven track record against the run make him a solid addition for improving the defensive unit’s overall toughness and production.
Jerry Lawson - Senior - 3 Star - Louisville
- Jerry Lawson, a 6-2, 295-pound defensive tackle transferring from Louisville, brings depth and experience to Oklahoma State’s defense in 2026 with one year of eligibility left.
In 2025, he played all 13 games, recording 16 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 0.5 sacks. Reuniting with DC Skyler Cassity, he’s poised for a key role in run-stopping.
Billy Walton - Sophomore - 3 Star - SMU
- Billy Walton, a 6-3, 250-pound edge rusher transferring from SMU, adds pass-rushing depth to Oklahoma State’s defense in 2026 with two years of eligibility left.
Originally committed to OSU out of high school, he returns after playing 13 games in 2025, recording 6 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 2 sacks. His experience bolsters the Cowboys’ edge rush.
Braylon Rigsby - Sophomore - 3 Star - Texas Tech
- Braylon Rigsby, a 6-2, 275-pound defensive lineman transferring from Texas Tech, brings rotational experience to Oklahoma State’s defense in 2026 with two years of eligibility left.
In 2025, he played all 13 games for the nation’s third-ranked defense, tallying 6 tackles (4 solo) and 2 quarterback hits. His versatility as a DT/DE in-between player helps the Cowboys’ front.
James Williams - Junior - 3 Star - Florida State
- James Williams, a 6-6, 262-pound edge rusher transferring from Florida State, enhances Oklahoma State’s pass rush in 2026 with two years of eligibility remaining.
In 2025, he recorded 19 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in 11 games. His career 8.5 sacks add veteran depth to the Cowboys’ defensive line.
Saadiq Clements - Sophomore - 3 Star - North Texas
- Saadiq Clements, a 6-4, 290-pound defensive lineman transferring from North Texas, bolsters Oklahoma State’s interior defense in 2026 with two years of eligibility.
In 2025, he played 12 games with 8 starts, tallying 26 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. His breakout adds run-stopping depth.
DJ Jackson Jr. - Junior - 3 Star - Troy
- DJ Jackson Jr., a 6-4, 262-pound edge rusher transferring from Troy, adds pass-rush potential to Oklahoma State’s defense in 2026 with eligibility remaining. In 2025, he played 13 games with 22 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 2 sacks.
Dominic Macon - Freshman - 3 Star - Washington
- Dominic Macon, a 6-3, 310-pound defensive tackle transferring from Washington, provides size and depth to Oklahoma State’s interior defense in 2026 with four years of eligibility remaining.
Redshirted in 2025, the redshirt freshman brings athleticism, power, and run-stuffing potential as a former state wrestling champion.
Enai White - Junior - 3 Star - Penn State
- Enai White, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman transferring from Penn State, brings significant upside to Oklahoma State’s defense for the 2026 season with one year of eligibility remaining.
A former top-40 recruit in the 2022 class from Philadelphia, White spent three years at Texas A&M before joining Penn State in 2025, where he appeared in eight games, recording three tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.
His Pro Football Focus grade of 66.4 highlights his potential as an edge rusher or interior disruptor.
At OSU, White’s size, athleticism, and experience from Power Four programs could bolster the Cowboys’ pass rush and run defense, providing veteran depth and high-ceiling production in a reloaded front seven aiming for Big 12 contention.
Landon Bland - Freshman - 3 Star - Carthage, MO
- Landon Bland, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound three-star edge rusher from Carthage High School in Missouri, joins Oklahoma State as an incoming freshman for the 2026 season.
Ranked as the No. 11 player in Missouri, he committed in March 2025 and signed in December, bringing athleticism with a 4.6 40-yard dash and high-motor play.
Helping Carthage reach a state championship with a 12-1 record, Bland’s edge-rushing skills, effort, and versatility could provide immediate depth to the Cowboys’ defensive front, enhancing pass rush and run defense as OSU rebuilds its line.
Nygel Farsee - Freshman - 3 Star - Parkview Magnet, AR
-Nygel Farsee, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound three-star defensive tackle from Parkview Magnet High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, joins Oklahoma State as an incoming freshman for the 2026 season.
Ranked as the No. 202 defensive lineman nationally, he signed on December 3, 2025, after earning 2024 All-State honors and maintaining a 3.70 GPA.
Farsee’s size, strength, and gap-control abilities, highlighted by a 5.0 40-yard dash, position him to provide immediate interior depth and run-stopping potential to the Cowboys’ defensive front.
OUTGOING:
Wendell Gregory - Kansas State
Kyran Duhon - Tulsa
De’Marion Thomas - Houston
Michael Riles - Prairie View A&M
Michael Diatta- Vanderbilt
Armstrong Nnodim - Penn State