We continue breaking down each positional class Oklahoma State has garnered via the transfer portal. This time being the Tight End position.
Over the past two decades, Oklahoma State Cowboys football has undergone notable shifts in its utilization of the tight end position, reflecting head coach Mike Gundy’s evolving offensive philosophy.
From the mid-2000s to around 2015, tight ends were primarily employed as blockers in a high-octane, spread offense that emphasized wide receivers and running backs for explosive plays, rather than featuring tight ends as primary pass-catchers.
This era saw limited receiving production from the position, with the Cowboys’ schemes rarely designing routes or plays to highlight tight ends in the aerial attack, often totaling fewer than 30 receptions per season from the group as a whole.
Instead, the focus was on their role in run blocking and occasional short-yardage situations, aligning with Gundy’s preference for speed and perimeter threats like Justin Blackmon or James Washington.
One of the most prominent tight ends during this period was Brandon Pettigrew (2005-2008), who bucked the trend by amassing 112 receptions for 1,450 yards and 9 touchdowns, setting school records and earning All-Big 12 honors before being selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
Another notable figure was Billy Bajema (2001-2004), a reliable blocker who contributed modestly in the passing game and was drafted in the seventh round in 2005, going on to a solid NFL career with teams like the San Francisco 49ers.
Blake Jarwin (2013-2016) also emerged as a versatile option, recording 41 catches for 586 yards and 5 scores at OSU before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, where he became a starter.
In 2015, Oklahoma State introduced the “Cowboy Back” position under position coach Jason McEndoo, transitioning from traditional tight ends to a hybrid role blending tight end and fullback duties.
This flexible spot emphasized blocking, H-back alignments, and occasional receiving or even carrying the ball, but it further diminished the pass-catching emphasis, with players often converted from other positions like quarterback or defensive end for athleticism.
Standouts in this Cowboy Back era included Jelani Woods (2018-2020), a former quarterback who showcased elite athleticism with 31 receptions for 361 yards and 4 touchdowns before transferring to Virginia and being drafted in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
Logan Carter (2018-2021), a walk-on converted defensive end, provided gritty blocking and short-yardage reliability, while Josiah Johnson (2020-2023) led the group in 2023 with 22 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown in the team’s return to more traditional groupings.
By 2023, the program began shifting back to distinct tight end and fullback roles, splitting the Cowboy Back group to allow for more specialized development and potentially increased passing involvement.
This adjustment continued into 2024 and 2025, with transfers like Tyler Foster from Ohio adding depth and receiving potential, Foster had 33 catches for 396 yards in prior seasons, signaling a possible renaissance for the position.
Despite these changes, Oklahoma State’s offenses have consistently underutilized pass-catching tight ends, prioritizing a balanced attack with star wideouts and dynamic backs, resulting in the position group rarely exceeding 200-300 combined receiving yards annually.
This approach has contributed to the Cowboys’ success, including multiple 10-win seasons, but has limited tight ends’ statistical impact compared to other programs who spam the tight end 13 personnel, à la Sean Mcvay and the Los Angeles Rams.
Wait, this was supposed to highlight tight end additions to Oklahoma State in 2026?
We’ll get to that, but I had to say my piece. Oklahoma State tight end usage, or rather the lack thereof, has been the most frustrating offensive woe since Pettigrew wore orange. It is time the Cowboys got back to utilizing that position and hopefully Eric Morris opts to try in ways that Mike Gundy never did.
That being said, let’s check out the 2026 tight end position additions.
INCOMING:
Donovan Green - Junior - 3 Star - LSU
- Donovan Green, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end transferring from LSU to Oklahoma State for the 2026 season, brings a blend of size, versatility, and untapped potential to the Cowboys’ offense.
As a former top-100 recruit and the No. 5 tight end in the 2022 class, Green offers a large catch radius and natural pass-catching ability, making him a dangerous red-zone threat with strong high-pointing skills and body control in contested situations.
His career stats include 24 receptions for 273 yards and two touchdowns across 31 games, with a standout freshman year at Texas A&M where he notched 22 catches for 233 yards before injuries sidelined him in 2023 and limited his role thereafter.
Green’s well-rounded skill set allows him to excel both as an in-line blocker, with impressive hand placement, effort, and finishing strength, and as a flexed out receiver, fitting seamlessly into various formations and personnel groupings.
For Oklahoma State, he provides much-needed depth at tight end, enhancing the passing game with his route nuance and run-after-catch balance while bolstering the run-blocking unit.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Green could emerge as a multi-year starter, potentially elevating the Cowboys’ offensive efficiency and creating mismatches against Big 12 defenses.
His addition signals a boost in talent for an offense looking to contend in 2026.
Bodie Boydstun - Sophomore - 3 Star - SWOSU (DII)
- Bodie Boydstun, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end transferring from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) to Oklahoma State for the 2026 season, brings raw athleticism, local roots, and developmental upside to the Cowboys’ offense.
Originally a high school quarterback from Enid’s Oklahoma Bible Academy, Boydstun transitioned to tight end at SWOSU, where he recorded 17 receptions for 240 yards and three touchdowns over the past two seasons, showcasing reliable hands and route-running potential despite limited Division II exposure.
His impressive frame provides strong in-line blocking capabilities, with good leverage and footwork to support the run game, while his quarterback background adds intelligence in reading defenses and finding soft spots in coverage.
For Oklahoma State, Boydstun adds depth to a tight end room needing versatile contributors, potentially serving as a red-zone target and mismatch creator against Big 12 linebackers.
With multiple years of eligibility remaining, his grit and work ethic, evident in his journey from eight-man football to Power Four, could make him a key rotational piece, enhancing offensive balance and providing a feel-good story for Cowboy fans.
This under the radar addition bolsters OSU’s efforts to rebuild and compete in 2026.
Morgan McPhaul - Senior - 3 Star - VMI
- Morgan McPhaul, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound tight end/fullback transferring from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to Oklahoma State as a graduate transfer for the 2026 season, offers veteran experience and physicality to the Cowboys’ offense.
With one year of eligibility remaining, McPhaul brings a robust resume, including 30 career receptions for 255 yards and two touchdowns over 33 games, peaking with 15 catches for 179 yards and a score in 2025 as VMI’s top tight end.
His 1,140 Division I snaps highlight durability, particularly in blocking, where his size, strength, and technique shine in run support and pass protection.
A former team captain from an 8-man high school background, McPhaul adds leadership and versatility as a hybrid TE/FB, capable of in-line duties or motion sets to create mismatches.
For Oklahoma State, he bolsters a rebuilding tight end group with immediate impact, enhancing blocking schemes and providing a reliable short-yardage option in Big 12 play.
OUTGOING:
Josh Ford - Alabama
Grayson Brousseau - UCF
Carson Su’esu’e - New Mexico State
Jordan Vyborny - Iowa State
Will Monney - Utah