Oklahoma State LB Darius Thomas plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Oklahoma State linebacker Darius Thomas plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. He transferred to Oklahoma State this past offseason after spending three years at Western Kentucky.

Thomas hadn’t seen any action for Oklahoma State this season. In his three seasons at WKU, Thomas amassed 21 appearances and 13 starts. He logged 63 total tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble and an interception for the Hilltoppers.

Darius Thomas didn’t play in the 2023 season at WKU due to an injury. He medically redshirted that year. Thomas played high school football at Miramar (FL), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 89 overall safety in the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to Rivals Industry Rankings.

He is the sixth Oklahoma State player to enter the transfer portal since the program parted ways with longtime head coach Mike Gundy. According to the NCAA’s rules, players have 30 days to enter the transfer portal after their coach is fired.

In Oklahoma State’s case, players can continue to enter the portal until Oct. 24. The school fired head coach Mike Gundy when Oklahoma State fell to 1-2 after suffering an upset loss to Tulsa.

Gundy spent 21 seasons as Oklahoma State’s head coach, amassing a 170-90 overall record and a 2011 Big 12 title. He was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year three times during his tenure and produced 18 consecutive winning seasons.

The school owes Gundy a $15 million buyout. He left Oklahoma State football as the program’s winningest coach of all time. In the 16 years before Gundy took over at Oklahoma State, the program had four winning seasons.

“Cowboy Football reached an unprecedented level of success and national prominence under Coach Gundy’s leadership,” Oklahoma State Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said in a statement. “I believe I speak for OSU fans everywhere when I say that we are grateful for all he did to raise the standard and show us all what is possible for Oklahoma State football.”

Oklahoma State offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Doug Meacham is serving as the team’s interim coach. The Cowboys are 0-2 under Meacham’s guidance. However, in Oklahoma State’s Week 5 loss to Baylor, the Cowboys posted a season-high 448 yards of total offense.

“It’s a testament to Mike building a culture here, picking the right kind of guys that will fight through adversity and come together as a team, and I think that I was really impressed with that part,” Meacham said after the game. “Had a lot of fun. They were having fun. That’s really what it’s all about.”