In the rivalry between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, the recruiting battlefield has always been high-stakes. At times, the Cowboys managed to hold their own within the state, occasionally pulling top-tier talent away from the Sooners. But with the recent firing of longtime head coach Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State may have taken a major step backward. The fallout has already begun, with several decommitments in the wake of the news, and the fear now is that the Sooners, already a national recruiting powerhouse, will capitalize even further by locking down the state’s best talent. That’s bad news for a program that already fights for attention in its own backyard.
A Cascade of Decommitments: Signs of a Recruiting Crisis
The immediate aftermath of Gundy’s firing has not been kind to Oklahoma State. Multiple recruits, particularly those from within Oklahoma, have backed off their commitments to the Cowboys, leaving the program in a vulnerable position. Coaching changes naturally create uncertainty, but this shift feels even more damaging because it threatens to unravel years of effort in cultivating relationships with in-state talent. Without a stable head coach in place, recruits are understandably looking elsewhere and Oklahoma is ready to pounce. The Sooners, who already dominate the national recruiting conversation, now have an unexpected second chance to flip local prospects who may have previously leaned toward Stillwater.
Oklahoma Pounces: Getting The State’s Top Two Prospects
If there was any doubt about who owns the state right now in terms of recruiting, Oklahoma erased it quickly. On the same day, the Sooners landed commitments from two of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2027 class — both of whom are also the top two overall prospects in the state of Oklahoma. Cooper Hackett, a 6’7", 250-pound tackle originally committed to Texas Tech, flipped to Oklahoma despite reportedly taking less NIL money. He’s currently rated as the No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 10 overall player in the 2027 class. Joining him is Kaeden Penny, another elite lineman who committed to the Sooners as well. Penny is ranked as the No. 7 offensive tackle and No. 34 overall prospect nationally. For Oklahoma State fans, losing both top in-state prospects to their biggest rival on the same day is a gut punch and it reinforces the idea that OSU is the “little brother” when it comes to the rivalry.
Why Those Losses Hurt More Now
Losing elite talent is never easy, but in this case, it stings even more. First, these are not just any prospects — they’re nationally ranked players who grew up in Oklahoma. If OSU can’t win those battles, their path to building a competitive roster becomes much harder. Second, the optics are devastating. Losing both players to OU, in quick succession, sends a message that Oklahoma State isn’t currently a viable destination for the best local talent. It raises doubts for other recruits and could begin a domino effect. Finally, it highlights the growing gap in program support. Oklahoma has the infrastructure, the NIL backing, and the national exposure to close on almost any player they want — and now they’re proving it by dominating in their own state. Oklahoma is on the way up while Oklahoma State is tumbling down. Stopping the bleeding sooner rather than later will be the difference in just how fast they can get back to being competitive.
The New Head Coach: The Stakes Are High
Oklahoma State’s next hire may be the most critical decision the program has made in decades. The new head coach will need to stabilize the current roster, re-engage with decommitted players, and reassure future recruits that the Cowboys still have a plan and a future. Just as importantly, OSU’s administration will need to put serious resources behind the hire. NIL money, recruiting staff, facility upgrades, and a commitment to competing nationally all have to be part of the equation. The Big 12 is evolving, and Oklahoma State cannot afford to fall behind in the conference or in-state. Whoever takes the job will be walking into a high-pressure situation — one that demands not only winning games but also winning back the trust of local recruits. If the Cowboys miss the mark, they risk falling further behind both their biggest rival and the new wave of Big 12 contenders.
What Comes Next for Oklahoma State Football?
One of the reasons firing Coach Gundy midseason became such a widely discussed topic, instead of simply hitting the reset button after the year, is because these decisions are far more complex in today’s college football landscape. With the growing impact of NIL and the transfer portal, letting a coach go now triggers immediate consequences. A 30-day transfer window opens for current players, and recruits from future classes are given the chance to reconsider their commitments.
It also raises the question: Did Oklahoma State already know it might move on from Gundy before the season even began? The timing, just three games in, suggests this wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. If there were doubts heading into the year, why not act sooner and give the program a head start?
At this point, though, the reasoning behind the timing no longer matters. The focus now shifts to who’s next and where the program goes from here. Big changes are coming, and everyone involved better buckle up because it’s going to be a wild ride.