Oklahoma State Walk-On Offensive Lineman to Enter Transfer Portal
Although the transfer portal has not been as brutal to Oklahoma State as last year, the departures are still inevitable.
The latest one comes from Viliami Makahununiu, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman, according to McClain Baxley. His decision to enter the portal comes after four offensive lineman have made their commitment to OSU in 2024.
Joe Michalski was the first domino to fall on the line, creating a video explaining his decision to come back to Stillwater next season. Michalski played an important role for OSU in 2023 as the starting center, playing in every game.
“Hey Cowboy football fans, it’s starting center Joe Michalski here excited to announce that I will be returning for the 2024 football season,” Michalski said in his announcement video. “I just want to give a big shoutout and thank you to Pokes With a Purpose and OL600 for making it possible for keeping me a Cowboy for as long as possible.”
Following his announcement, other offensive linemen began to make similar videos. Cole Birmingham was the next to do so, again citing NIL's impact on the program.
Pokes With a Purpose also helped secure the returns of Dalton Cooper and Jake Springfield.
Those four coming back is a clear step in the right direction for the Cowboys after the disastrous transfer portal exodus in 2022.
But in bringing back a strong core along the offensive line, others may not get the ability to play as much as they would like. Makahununiu likely fits into that category after seeing game action once in his two seasons at OSU.
Aside from earning scout team player of the week ahead of the Texas Tech game in 2022, Makahununiu’s time with the Cowboys has not been as impactful as he may have anticipated. The 6-foot-4, 304-pound went to OSU after playing his high school ball at Norman. Makahununiu chose to walk on at OSU despite scholarship offers from smaller schools, including Southwestern Oklahoma State.
His time in Stillwater was not long, but Makahununiu is likely to see the field much more elsewhere, given OSU’s situation at the position.
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Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.