Oklahoma State lands transfer commitment from brother defensive players

Oklahoma State has landed transfer commitments from brothers Solomon Wright and Elijah Wright, per Marshall Scott of Pistols Firing. The pair are sons of former Cowboys linebacker Kenyatta Wright, a four-year starter for the program in the late 1990s.

Solomon Wright was a freshman this past season for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was the No. 75 defensive lineman in the 2021 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Oklahoma State offered him a scholarship out of high school as well, but was ultimately unsuccessful in landing him the first time around.

Elijah Wright is coming in from in-state Division II school the University of Central Oklahoma. He has spent the past two years as a linebacker for the Bronchos, who did not play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two brothers starred together at Vian High School in Oklahoma, leading the team to a state championship in 2019. Both were also named to the Oklahoman’s All-State football team at the conclusion of that season.

They are set to join a Cowboys defense coming off of one of their best seasons in recent memory. Oklahoma State led the FBS with 57 sacks while also ranking fourth in the country in total defense. They lost defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to Ohio State this offseason, but hired former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason as his replacement.

The Cowboys lose leading tackler Malcolm Rodriguez to the NFL draft, as well as linebacker Koby Harvel-Peel and safety Tre Sterling. But it wasn’t all bad news this offseason, as defensive end Brock Martin announced he would return for another season.

Behind the strength of its defense, Oklahoma State found itself in contention for a College Football Playoff appearance this past season. The Cowboys likely would have made it had they beaten Baylor in the Big 12 Championship game. However, they lost 21-16 after twice failing to score a touchdown from the 1-yard line. Instead they made an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, where they earned a victory against Notre Dame.

The transfer brothers will get their first opportunity to make an impact for the Oklahoma State defense when the Cowboys open the 2022 season on Sept. 1 against Central Michigan.