Player Departures Show Why OSU Must Find Stability Fast

The dust hasn’t even begun to settle on Oklahoma State’s stunning coaching change, and already the transfer portal is reshaping the roster. Safeties DeAndre Boykins and Dylan Smith are the first two players to enter the NCAA portal since Mike Gundy’s firing, and their decisions speak volumes about where the Cowboys stand in this chaotic stretch of the 2025 season.

It’s a blow that isn’t crippling, but it’s certainly telling. In an era where roster turnover is constant, departures are expected — but timing matters. For Oklahoma State, losing two safeties just as the program is trying to find its footing under interim leadership only magnifies the instability in Stillwater.

Of the two, Dylan Smith’s departure is the more significant. The sophomore safety had become one of the defense’s most reliable fixtures. In 25 career games, he racked up 77 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble. His role expanded in 2024, where he started 11 games and finished tied for sixth on the team in tackles.

Smith had the profile every defensive coordinator covets: young, experienced, and still developing. With two years of eligibility remaining, he could have been the kind of cornerstone player to help steady a defense in transition. Instead, he’ll now explore opportunities elsewhere, and Oklahoma State must reshuffle its safety rotation.

His decision to enter the portal after four games also allows him to take a redshirt year, preserving eligibility. It’s a smart individual move, but a frustrating reality for OSU. In many ways, Smith’s exit epitomizes the player empowerment era — one where program turmoil can nudge even the most entrenched starters to look elsewhere.

DeAndre Boykins’ departure stings less in terms of immediate production but underscores the challenges of building continuity through the portal. A transfer from North Carolina this offseason, Boykins brought with him 36 games of Power Four experience. While his role in Stillwater never materialized — just six tackles and one pass deflection in limited action — he was a veteran presence who, in theory, could have carved out a bigger role as the season unfolded.

Instead, he’s out the door before his OSU career ever really began. For Boykins, the motivation is easy to understand: coaching changes, scheme shifts, and limited snaps are rarely the formula for patience in today’s game.

This all circles back to Oklahoma State’s leadership overhaul. When the school fired Gundy and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, NCAA rules triggered a 30-day portal window for the entire roster. Players have until October 23 to decide their futures, and Boykins and Smith are the first to take advantage.

It’s worth remembering what interim head coach Doug Meacham said after the Baylor game: “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.” The sentiment was genuine, but culture can only carry a roster so far in a transition. For some players, uncertainty outweighs loyalty.

The Cowboys’ September lows — a 69–3 rout at Oregon and a 19–12 home loss to Tulsa — combined with the coaching shake-up have created a perfect storm of doubt. Losing Boykins and Smith doesn’t just hurt depth; it highlights how fragile the roster could become if more dominoes fall in the coming weeks.

Oklahoma State’s defense was already struggling, allowing over 600 yards to Baylor in its Big 12 opener. Now, the safety room gets thinner. Smith was not only the leader in defensive snaps this season but also one of the few players with a proven résumé in the Big 12. Without him, the Cowboys must turn to less experienced players or experiment with rotations that haven’t yet been tested in meaningful moments.

Boykins’ exit is more about the lost potential than production. His versatility and prior experience at UNC made him a useful depth piece, even if it hadn’t shown up on the stat sheet yet. In his absence, that developmental upside shifts elsewhere.

Let’s be clear: neither of these moves is shocking. In the portal era, players prioritize fit, opportunity, and stability. When one of those pillars crumbles — as it has in Stillwater — departures are inevitable. The question for OSU isn’t whether more players will leave, but how many.

That’s why this moment is so pivotal. Oklahoma State has to show progress under Meacham, not just on the field but in how the program communicates its vision to players. If the message doesn’t resonate, the portal could claim more key contributors before the Oct. 23 deadline.

At the same time, the Cowboys have to look at this as an opportunity. Younger players now have a chance to prove themselves. Reps that might have gone to Smith or Boykins will instead be taken by less proven safeties who could emerge as long-term building blocks.

In the end, the departures of Boykins and Smith tell a story bigger than two safeties leaving. They highlight the fragility of transition, the power of the transfer portal, and the urgent need for Oklahoma State to establish direction.

The Cowboys aren’t doomed because of these moves, but they are exposed. Every loss, every coaching decision, every snap of defensive breakdown is now magnified, not only by fans but by players deciding whether Stillwater is still where they want to build their careers.

For Smith, a fresh start will likely bring immediate suitors. For Boykins, it’s another attempt to find the right fit. For Oklahoma State, the challenge is just beginning. Stabilizing a program in flux is hard enough without roster attrition. Doing so in the transfer-portal era makes it even harder.

And that’s the harsh reality OSU must face: until it finds firm leadership and a consistent identity, the departures of Boykins and Smith may only be the beginning.

Matt Hofeld is a college football analyst and contributor covering the Big 12. Follow him for more Oklahoma State and conference-wide analysis throughout the 2025 season.