EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Newest OSU Commit Gabe Brown
Oklahoma State has gotten some fantastic news this Monday morning!
Gabe Brown, an elite linebacker out of the local Stillwater high school has announced his commitment to Cowboys.
“After talking to over with my family, I have decided to commit to Oklahoma State," Brown said on Twitter. "I can’t honestly say that it was a tough decision for me. I know a lot of people want to wait on more offers for a year for so, but I can’t think of any place I’d rather play than Stillwater! I can’t thank the coaches enough for believing in me and seeing the blue collar work ethic in me that makes the Cowboy Culture so great. I appreciate Coach Gundy allowing me the privilege to be a part of one of the best football programs in the country. To have this dream of mine become a reality is hard to believe and put into words. I’d also like to thank mu dad for pushing me and believing in me. I will continue to push myself to be the best teammate and player I can be.”
After talking it over with my family, I've decided that I will be counting my my academic and football career with @CowboyFB after I graduate next year. @CoachGundy @CoachJimKnowles @RyanSimmonsOSU @CoachEachus @TuckerBarnard @StillwaterFB #GoPokes #LetsRide22 #Regulators pic.twitter.com/o20AQD0F3I
— Gabe Brown (@Gabe_Brown__) September 21, 2020
Brown, who is in the class of 2022, earned his Oklahoma State offer only 11 days ago on Sep. 10, following his season opener of his junior season against Edmond Santa Fe.
In 2019, his sophomore season, Brown was responsible for 126 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He is without a question one of the most explosive and talented defensive playmakers in the state of Oklahoma.
This commitment does not come as a surprise, even only 11 days after his offer. When we spoke to Brown the day of his offer, he had extremely high praise for the Cowboys program. "It means a lot to have the hometown team offer me," Brown said. "I've been around the program through my friends and their families for years, and they've been great."
I spoke with Brown Monday afternoon just minutes before his afternoon practice at Stillwater's field to discuss his commitment.
"I was just thinking if my first offer is my best offer, why wait on it," said Brown. "If any other place would have offered me, I would have just went to Oklahoma State anyways."
I spoke with Brown about what the Cowboy staff sees in him and what they are recruiting him to do in the future.
"They compare me to Malcolm Rodriguez, like a smaller type linebacker that can run around and is not afraid to go hit someone."
"I'd say the the best part of my game would just be my hustle and my motor throughout the game.", Brown said when describing his own skills. He did admit that he does have some things to work on from a technical standpoint but that he is happy with his development so far.
Even though he earned his offer 11 days ago and committed this morning, Brown said it is still hard to grasp the fact he is even in this position.
"Its still kinda hard to process that, like, I've committed there. Since the school is so good, its just kinda hard to grasp."
If you have been in or around Stillwater, you know that an offer being extended to a prospect from the school is extremely rare. Even with division one prospects seemingly coming from the school every year, especially recently, Oklahoma State seems to never even sniff the idea of an offer.
"I think its really cool for me, I mean they kinda broke the tradition and offered me. I think the last guy they offered here was Matt Holliday a long time ago."
Every time I talk with a recruit and ask who on the staff they speak with the most, there is always one name that repeatedly comes up and that is Ryan Simmons, the recruiting analyst for the linebacker position.
It was no different for Brown. "He is always staying in touch with me almost everyday and he's just a good dude."
Early commitments are always a bit scary because you run the risk of a decommitment after time, but this is not one of those situations. "I mean I'm 100% committed to OSU and I don't think I'd ever change that, no matter the offer."
Brown is the second commitment for the Cowboys in the 2022 class joining De'Kelvion Beamon out Huntington Shreveport (LA), both being on defense. The recruiting staff is putting together an elite defensive unit in the 2021 class and already off to a scorching start for 2022.
