Why the 'ceiling's high' for safety Kendal Daniels in Oklahoma State's new-look secondary

STILLWATER — A year ago, Kendal Daniels arrived on Oklahoma State’s campus with the belief he would be on the football field making big plays in no time.

Then reality for the true freshman safety set in.

Even as a highly-touted recruit, there was a very slim chance he would even play in a crowded secondary of veterans.

“Man,” Daniels thought at the time as disappointment hit.

So, Daniels went to school — and not just in classrooms on campus. He studied what established stars Kolby Harvell-Peel, Tanner McCalister and Tre Sterling did. He watched Jason Taylor II become a star when elevated to starter. Daniels became even more motivated.

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He eventually came to a huge realization.

“It was the best for me,” he said. “I wouldn’t have been ready to go out there and do what those guys did.”

Now, Daniels believes he can continue what those before him did last season.

Just a week into fall camp, it’s evident he’s a different player. He’s more confident. He’s making plays. He’s catching more attention. And when OSU hosts Central Michigan on Sept. 1, it’s likely he’s not only on the field but one of three starting safeties in a new-look secondary.

“He’s good,” said Taylor, the lone returning starter in the group. “He’s grown in just these two short years of him being here. I think we’re going to count on him and a lot of the other guys to make plays and do things for us this year.”

Daniels is one of the Cowboys’ highest-rated defensive recruits in program history since rankings were tracked. A consensus four-star recruit from Beggs, he’s the top-ranked recruit in a recruiting class since OSU signed Herschel Sims in 2011, according to 247Sports.com.

With that comes hype.

He was the top-rated recruit in Oklahoma in the 2021 class, originally choosing Texas A&M. After he was released from his letter of intent, he signed with OSU a few days later.

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Daniels immediately stood out on the field.

His 6-foot-4 frame certainly helps. But so does his athleticism and ability to get to the football.

“The ceiling’s high,” first-year OSU defensive coordinator Derek Mason said. “I don’t know how good he can be. I’ve had a number of guys go play in the NFL, and that’s great. Do I think he has NFL talent? Yes. But right now, all I’m trying to do is make sure he gets 1% better.”

Daniels appeared in three games last season, including the Fiesta Bowl, but did not record a statistic as he maintained his redshirt status.

The Cowboys expect growing pains with Daniels this fall. But they believe he will improve from them.

“He’s a really good prospect and he doesn’t have experience,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “He’s gonna gain experience and he’s gonna get better. He’s gonna make mistakes and he’s gonna get better. His attitude is fantastic. His body is what I’m guessing NFL would dream of for a safety, but he’s inexperienced.

“But he’s been tough, he’s got some natural skills that we can’t coach and he’s got a body. We just need to get him out there and let him play. We have to be patient with him.”

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Daniels just wants the chance. After a year primarily watching and learning, it’s all he can hope for.

And quickly, he’s left a strong impression.

“Kendal challenges himself,” Mason said. “He’s got great range. He’s got great ball skills. He’s physical. But he’s still young. I’m not gonna ask him to be 30 years old right now. I’m gonna ask him to be a redshirt freshman. Let’s get on the field, let’s make some mistakes but let’s make them new. But his explosive plays are pretty darn good.”

Daniels will be lined up with Taylor — a playmaker almost always around the football — and veteran Thomas Harper, who has been an often-used backup when healthy.

Pair those safeties with cornerbacks Korie Black and Jabbar Muhammad, and the secondary could quickly go from big question mark to dangerous.

“I think we’re going to be real, real good, actually," Taylor said. “We’re just trying to stay focused, keep our heads straight, keep our head down and just march.”

Here is a look at the Cowboys’ secondary depth chart:

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Oklahoma State secondary depth chart

Name, Class, Height, Weight, Hometown (Previous school)

The starters

Cornerbacks

Korie Black, Jr., 6-0, 185, Waco, Texas (Connally)

Jabbar Muhammad, Jr., 5-10, 180, DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto)

Safeties

Jason Taylor II, RSr., 6-0, 215, Oklahoma City (Carl Albert)

Kendal Daniels, RFr., 6-4, 205, Beggs

Thomas Harper, Sr., 5-11, 180, Knoxville, Tennessee (Karns)

The reserves

Cornerbacks

Jordan Reagan, RSo., 6-1, 180, Okmulgee (Bixby)

Demarco Jones, RJr., 6-0, 185, Tulsa (Booker T. Washington)

Safeties

Kanion Williams, RSr., 6-0, 190, Dallas (South Oak Cliff)

Sean Michael Flanagan, RSr., 6-1, 210, Charleston, Arkansas (Charleston)

Trey Rucker, Sr., 6-0, 195, Fairfax, Virginia (Wake Forest)

Nick Session, RSo., 6-0, 190, Gardena, California (East High, Utah)

Lyrik Rawls, RFr., 6-1, 212, Jefferson, Texas (Marshall)

Ty Williams, RFr., 6-0, 195, Muskogee

Jacob Unruh covers college sports for The Oklahoman. You can send your story ideas to him at junruh@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: 2022 OSU Cowboys' secondary depth chart