Oklahoma State safety declares for 2022 NFL Draft

Oklahoma State safety Tre Sterling has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, he announced on Twitter Saturday.

Sterling, a fifth-year senior, hardly played in 2021, after undergoing surgery on Sept. 29. Sterling had a fractured wrist and was forced to undergo surgery, so after appearing in Oklahoma State’s first two games of the year, he did not appear again until Nov. 20. He played in three of Oklahoma State’s most recent games against Texas Tech, Baylor in the Big 12 title game and Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, finishing the season with 13 total tackles (six solo stops), and a sack.

“This university is second to none,” Sterling said. “The coaches, the fans and most importantly the players, from the moment I stepped on campus, my dream was to just get any type of playing time in BPS. The y supported me from start to finish and taught me what it means to be a great defender. The coaching staff were parents away from home and taught me lessons that are greater than a game. Thank y’all for everything!”

Sterling was a three-star safety coming out of high school via the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranked as the No. 108 safety in the 2017 recruiting class, and the Texas native was the No. 136 recruit in his state. Sterling finished his Oklahoma State career with 159 total tackles (100 solo stops), 12 passes defended, three sacks and three interceptions, while adding one touchdown off an interception return.

“To my teammates, y’all boys have been my family for five years and have always showed love,” he wrote. “All my teammates former and current have had a guiding hand in this journey whether that be in my game or in life. You are all the reason for such great memories in Stillwater. Y’all poured blood, sweat and tears for me and I will always do the same for y’all.”

Sterling was an All-Big 12 honorable mention in both 2019 and 2020. In 2020, he finished the season ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 and No. `12 in the FBS with two fumble recoveries, while adding 5.1 solo tackles per game, which ranked No. 12 in the Big 12. Though he’s a safety, Sterling is as effective in the backfield as he is in the secondary — in 2020, Sterling led the team with 12.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 more than any other player on the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ defense.

“My time in Stillwater has been amazing and everyone has had an effect on my college experience,” Sterling said. “However, there’s a time for everything and this is the time to bet on myself and enter the 2022 NFL Draft!”