Oklahoma State defensive lineman Justin Kirkland enters Transfer Portal

Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive lineman Justin Kirkland has entered the Transfer Portal, On3 has learned. He spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys.

Kirkland came to Oklahoma State as a transfer ahead of the 2023 season. Before that, he had played for Utah Tech. There, he was a standout in the 2022 season for the FCS program out of the WAC. That led to his transfer following the season, making his way to the FBS ranks.

As a sophomore in 2023, Kirkland would play in 14 games for the Cowboys and started the final six games of the season at nose tackle. A year later, he’d play in all 12 games for Oklahoma State while getting one start. Along the way, he earned Academic All-Big 12 honors.

Over the course of those 26 games, Justin Kirkland has 40 total tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and a sack. He also had two pass breakups in 2023.

As a team, Oklahoma State is coming off a frustrating season. The Cowboys opened the season going 3-0 in non-conference play. Then, once Big 12 play kicked off, things went sideways for the team and they failed to win a single conference game all season, going 3-9 for the year. After winning 10 games the season before, head coach Mike Gundy was frustrated with the worst season he’s had there by record in two decades leading the program.

The season ended awkwardly off the field for Mike Gundy too. Rumors swirled about his future, but he ultimately remained the team’s head coach, despite a standoff with the school over his contract.

Perhaps unsurprisingly after 2024’s struggles, Oklahoma State has been active in the Transfer Portal. The Cowboys have the 30th ranked transfer class in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 College Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings. That’s a class that has seen 26 players transfer out and 35 new players transfer into the program. Justin Kirkland is already included in the number of outgoing Oklahoma State players.

Among those incoming players through the Transfer Portal, 16 are coming from power conference schools. Another two are coming from Big 12 schools while four players are originally from the state of Oklahoma.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.