When a program changes direction at the top, roster turnover almost always follows. Players want stability, clear roles, and a scheme that fits their skills. If those things aren’t promised, the transfer portal becomes an option.
That’s the case in Stillwater right now. With Mike Gundy fired, Oklahoma State faces an uncertain offseason where several key contributors could decide to move on. Here’s a breakdown of the names most likely to consider transferring.
Why Oklahoma State Players Can Enter the Transfer Portal
Under NCAA rules, when a head coach is fired or leaves a program, a 30-day transfer portal window automatically opens for every player on the roster. This gives athletes the freedom to evaluate their options without penalty and enter the portal if they choose.
For underclassmen such as Zane Flores, Rodney Fields Jr., and Wendell Gregory, this means they can use their one-time transfer exemption if they haven’t already. Veteran players like David Kabongo, Jaleel Johnson, and Josh Ford also have the right to explore other programs during this window. Graduate players, as always, can transfer freely without restriction.
In short, Gundy’s firing triggered a 30-day period where the entire Oklahoma State roster is eligible to look elsewhere, making the next few weeks especially unpredictable for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State Football Players Who Could Transfer After Mike Gundy Firing
Zane Flores (QB)
Quarterback situations almost always get messy during a coaching transition, and Flores is right in the middle of it. A former four-star recruit, he arrived with expectations but hasn’t established himself as the clear starter.
With OSU likely bringing in a new offensive system, Flores may look elsewhere for a cleaner path to playing time. Programs that value his size and arm strength could give him a chance to reset his career before it stalls.
Rodney Fields Jr. (RB)
Fields flashed explosiveness as a redshirt freshman, showing he can change a game with one cut. The issue is volume: Oklahoma State has rotated backs heavily in recent years, and that may not change under new leadership.
Fields will draw interest from programs willing to feature him more prominently, especially since he offers versatility as a pass-catcher. If he wants to prove he can be a lead back, the portal gives him the fastest route to that role.
David Kabongo (S)
Kabongo has been a steady presence in the secondary, logging tackles and breaking up passes while showing good instincts. Safeties like him are often scheme-dependent, in some systems they’re asked to play deep, in others they’re box defenders.
His best trait is range, and he could be more valuable in a defense that allows him to roam. If the new staff leans toward a different style, Kabongo would be one of the more attractive transfer DBs on the market.
Wendell Gregory (LB)
Gregory is one of the younger names being talked about, but his athleticism makes him a candidate to watch. He was a highly regarded recruit and has the tools to play multiple linebacker roles.
New staffs sometimes prefer to rebuild with their own signees, which could push players like Gregory toward the portal. If he goes, he’d have several years of eligibility to develop in a program that promises him a clear growth plan and consistent snaps.
Jaleel Johnson (DE)
Johnson is the most experienced player on this list and has shown flashes as a pass rusher. The challenge for him has been consistency and usage, he hasn’t always been a featured piece of the defense.
With only limited time left in his college career, Johnson may see the portal as a way to land in a system that can boost his production and NFL visibility. Programs looking for ready-made defensive line depth will find him appealing.
What It Means for Oklahoma State
The Cowboys will need to re-recruit their own roster while also targeting portal talent to fill gaps. Flores, Fields, and Kabongo stand out as the most likely departures, while Gregory and Johnson are also names to monitor.
The hire of the next head coach will go a long way in deciding how many of these players actually stay in Stillwater, but for now, the transfer portal looms as a real threat to the program’s depth.
