Appalachian State transfer OL Markell Samuel commits to Oklahoma State

Appalachian State transfer offensive tackle Markell Samuel has committed to Oklahoma State, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported. He will have one season of eligibility remaining.

He was one of the top available options left in the portal at offensive line, ranking as the No. 88 inside offensive lineman in this cycle according to On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings. He joins an Oklahoma State team that allowed just 1.2 sacks per game this past season and will look to continue protecting the quarterback.

Samuel was honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference this past season after starting 11 games at left tackle. He played the second-most snaps (817) of any offensive tackle in the conference and earned a 67.5 pass-blocking grade according to PFF. He has started 18 games in his career.

The 6-foot-4 offensive lineman is entering his sixth season of college football. He played only four games across the first three seasons of his career before playing in 25 over the past two.

Markell Samuel was listed as a linebacker coming out of high school at E.E. Smith in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he was a three-star prospect. He ranked as the No. 2,180 overall prospect and No. 230 linebacker according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Samuel is the 27th overall player and fifth offensive tackle that Oklahoma State has added through the portal this offseason. The Cowboys have also lost 19 players and ranks No. 53 in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings.

More than 2,800 FBS scholarship players entered their names into the NCAA’s transfer database during the 2023-24 school year. Removing those who withdrew or went pro, the final total sat at 2,707 transfers. That means roughly 25% of all FBS scholarship players hit free agency in one year.

In data gathered over the first two years with transfer windows, the NCAA found most athletes enter the portal within the first four weeks of the portal opening. The study showed that 73% of men’s and women’s basketball undergraduate athletes entered during the first four weeks. That increased to 82% for men and 86% for women in 2024.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.