Oklahoma State safety David Kabongo plans to redshirt, expected to enter Transfer Portal

Oklahoma State safety David Kabongo has told coaches he plans to redshirt and is expected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3‘s Chris Low. This decision comes a week after the Cowboys formally parted ways with longtime head coach Mike Gundy after 21 seasons at the helm.

According to NCAA rules, Oklahoma State student-athletes have 30 days from the date of the coaching change to enter the transfer portal, meaning more Cowboys players could still opt to transfer in the coming days and weeks before their personal portal window closes Oct. 24. Kabongo should have three years of eligibility remaining with a redshirt this season.

Kabongo is the third Oklahoma State safety to opt to enter the portal since Gundy’s firing announcement on September 23, following a 1-2 start to the 2025 season. The Cowboys’ record has since dropped to 1-3 and 0-1 in Big 12 play following last weekend’s 45-27 home loss to Baylor.

Kabongo will join fellow safeties DeAndre Boykins and Dylan Smith in the portal after both revealed their intentions Monday. Boykins, a transfer from North Carolina, saw action in two games for Oklahoma State this season but didn’t record any stats. Smith, who had 12 combined tackles and 1 1/2 for loss, is a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.

The 5-foot-11 Kabongo has appeared in all four games for the Cowboys this season, meaning he’d still qualify for a redshirt this season so long as he doesn’t play another game. Kabongo has 12 total tackles, including six solo, and one forced fumble this season.

Oklahoma State loses to Baylor in first game since Mike Gundy firing

Gundy spent 21 seasons as Oklahoma State’s head football coach, amassing a 170-90 overall record and the 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 leaves 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 served as the team’s interim coach in Week 5 against Baylor. Oklahoma State fell 45-27 to the Bears. Oklahoma State amassed a season-high 448 yards on 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. “Had a lot of fun. They were having fun. That’s really what it’s all about.”

— On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.