Kolby Harvell-Peel Has Continued Success Against Kansas
STILLWATER -- Sophomore safety Kolby Harvell-Peel is on a tear that most players are never fortunate, or lucky, to have. In the past two games, Harvell-Peel has hauled in four interceptions, two against TCU and two against Kansas, bringing his total to five on the season.
"He's in the right place at the right time," said head coach Mike Gundy of Kolby Harvell-Peel. "It's like Shaun Lewis. Remember years ago when Shaun Lewis was here? Every time the ball got tipped he was standing there and every time the ball was on the ground he was there. For some reason, he is in the right place at the right time. You know what people say about guys who are good players? They are usually in the right place at the right time. The second part of that is when he gets the chance, he catches it. He finishes and he catches it."
On the game, Harvell-Peel finished with three total tackles, two interceptions and one quarterback hurry. Last week against TCU, he finished with six total tackles, two interceptions, two pass break ups and one fumble recovery.
Harvell-Peel always seems to be wherever the ball is week in and week out. After today, he's recorded 60 total tackles, good enough for third on the team in total stops. Plus, his five interceptions are best on the team, as are his 11 pass break ups.
“I don’t think I can; it’s just being in the right place and the right time,” said Kolby Harvell-Peel on trying to explain the turnovers. “Every week I come in here and say that I just do what coach [Jim] Knowles draws up for me. At those times today, that’s where I was supposed to be and the ball came my way.”
Throughout his freshman season, and especially at the end of last season in Oklahoma State's win over Missouri in the Liberty Bowl, we got a glimpse of just how good Harvell-Peel could be. He finished last season with 52t total tackles, including a game-high nine tackles and a pass break up against Missouri. He also recorded the game-save tackle at the end of the game.
There are some big-time playmakers on the Oklahoma State defense: Amen Ogbongbemiga, Malcolm Rodriguez, Rodarius Williams and A.J, Green. But there shouldn't be any doubt in anyone's mind that as a sophomore, Kolby Harvell-Peel is unequivocally one of the leaders of this Poke defense.
Heck, with the performances he's put up this season, and with two games still left to play, there's a case to be made for first-team All-Big 12 defender and possible even an All-American.
