Oklahoma

Federal Auditors Want Oklahoma To Return At Least $650,000 of Governor’s COVID-19 Relief Funds – Oklahoma Watch

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2022

Federal Auditors Want Oklahoma To Return At Least 0,000 of Governor’s COVID-19 Relief Funds – Oklahoma Watch

This story was produced in partnership with the Oklahoma nonprofit newsroom The Frontier.

U.S. Division of Schooling auditors advisable clawing again greater than $650,000 in misspent federal coronavirus aid funds from Gov. Kevin Stitt and reviewing a further $5.5 million in purchases, based on a federal audit launched Tuesday.

The questioned spending got here from Stitt’s Bridge the Hole Digital Pockets program, which gave $1,500 grants to low-income households for instructional purchases like computer systems and college provides throughout the pandemic.

Auditors pinpointed questionable expenditures like arcade video games, Christmas bushes, sensible watches, sofas, televisions and fridges totaling $652,720. The extraneous objects made up greater than 10% of all purchases. The $5.5 million is the full of purchases the auditors didn’t analyze and will include unauthorized objects.

The tally of noneducational objects households bought with program funds was increased than beforehand reported in a joint investigation The Frontier and Oklahoma Watch printed in Could.

Auditors additionally discovered Oklahoma did not comply with federal tips for 4 of Stitt’s 5 instructional aid packages, the report exhibits.

State officers gave the Florida-based firm ClassWallet a no-bid contract to manage the Bridge the Hole Digital Pockets program and distribute grants to households.

The auditors additionally discovered poor report holding for an additional aid program managed by ClassWallet known as Keep in Faculty. This system distributed tuition grants for as much as $6,500 to college students already attending personal colleges throughout the pandemic.

Oklahoma couldn’t present supporting documentation that college students who obtained grants had been truly enrolled and registered at personal colleges, based on the audit.

Kate Vesper, a spokeswoman for the governor, stated Tuesday that the state began an inside audit of Oklahoma’s instructional aid funds a number of months in the past.

“Governor Stitt has known as for extra audits than some other governor in our state’s historical past and is proactive in monitoring and making certain applicable use of Oklahoma taxpayer {dollars},” she stated. “His dedication to transparency and accountability isn’t any completely different right here.”

However the state has refused to launch a overview of this system by a personal contractor.

Oklahoma responded by putting blame on ClassWallet, saying the corporate assured there could be no fraud. However the state stated it will take steps to enhance its monitoring of federal grants.

In response to the audit, Oklahoma stated that it was working in a ”high-pressure surroundings” because of the results of COVID and that it acted in good religion to “guarantee funds related to Bridge the Hole initiative had been correctly expended when it contracted with ClassWallet.”

However the auditors say the state can not simply cross blame to ClassWallet.

Oklahoma didn’t say it will return the funds or overview for some other unallowable Bridge the Hole expenditures, auditors wrote.

“Because the recipient of the GEER grant funds, Oklahoma was chargeable for making certain that its grant funds had been used correctly,” auditors stated.

The Frontier and Oklahoma Watch reported in Could the state had returned $2.9 million in unused instructional aid funds to the U.S. Division of Schooling. The audit revealed the funds had been returned to the U.S. Division of Schooling and reallocated in Could 2021 to the Oklahoma Division of Schooling to be distributed to public colleges for summer time college packages.

Oklahoma Did Not Make the most of Classwallet’s Monitoring Capabilities

State officers declare it was ClassWallet’s duty to supervise the aid cash and have threatened to sue the corporate.

Secretary of Schooling Ryan Walters, who’s now a candidate for state superintendent, claimed throughout a debate in June that he found that ClassWallet hadn’t upheld its finish of the contract and that he’s working to carry the corporate accountable. However emails present that Walters labored to safe ClassWallet the state contract even earlier than Stitt named him Secretary of Schooling in September of 2020.

Beneath the contract, ClassWallet gave the state entry to a system to view experiences and summaries of purchases, however it wasn’t till February 2021 — a month after this system ended — that the previous director of statewide operations for Oklahoma accessed the knowledge, they usually solely did so as soon as, the audit stated.

The auditors discovered that “Oklahoma didn’t use all accessible controls in ClassWallet’s digital pockets system” to observe how grant cash was spent.

Walters granted “blanket approval” to purchases comprised of pre-approved distributors on the ClassWallet platform, which included Workplace Depot and, for a short while, Dwelling Depot. Walters was government director of the nonprofit group Each Child Counts Oklahoma and never a state official when he authorised the purchases.

Oklahoma’s ‘Keep In Faculty’ Program Additionally Lacked Correct Oversight

For the Keep in Faculty program, auditors had been unable to confirm eligibility for eight of 10 randomly chosen college students.

College students who attended eligible personal colleges might obtain tuition help by this system. However ClassWallet subcontracted the eligibility verification to a separate firm that routinely deletes emails after 90 days.

Auditors advocate Oklahoma overview the eligibility of all members, or at the very least a bigger pattern.

In December 2020, Stitt issued a report in regards to the Keep in Faculty program, citing it as proof that personal colleges aren’t only for the rich.

“Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Keep in Faculty Fund program proves the robust want of Oklahoma mother and father from all earnings ranges and all places for college alternative, proves the state can present needy households a top quality schooling for a mean of as little as $5,132 per little one, and proves that personal colleges throughout Oklahoma will gladly settle for kids from the decrease rungs of the financial ladder.”

Mother and father who obtained grants stated they had been grateful for the monetary help throughout the pandemic. One mother or father stated that with out the grant cash, her daughter would have needed to go away her parochial college in Oklahoma Metropolis for her final 12 months of junior excessive.

“Her psychological well being suffered rather a lot throughout the pandemic. That has been the case for thus many youngsters and the comeback has been sluggish. She missed out on…many cherished occasions. I can not think about what she would have gone by had she needed to go away her college, too,” the mother or father wrote. She requested to not be named out of concern for her daughter’s privateness.

For Keep in Faculty, Bridge the Hole Digital Pockets, and two different instructional aid packages, known as Study Wherever Oklahoma and Expertise to Rebuild, the state couldn’t present auditors proof that aid cash went to organizations “most importantly impacted by the coronavirus or deemed important for finishing up emergency instructional companies,” as required by this system.

The one program that did meet federal tips was an incentive grant program managed by the state Division of Schooling. Stitt used $8 million to match the division’s $8 million, for a complete of $16 million distributed for web connectivity, psychological well being help, and different initiatives.

Jennifer Palmer has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2016 and covers schooling. Contact her at (405) 761-0093 or jpalmer@oklahomawatch.org. Observe her on Twitter @jpalmerOKC.

Reese Gorman joined The Frontier in 2022 after a stint at The Norman Transcript. Gorman primarily covers state and federal authorities for The Frontier. Contact him at reese@readfrontier.com. Observe @reesejgorman

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by Jennifer Palmer and Reese Gorman, Oklahoma Watch
July 19, 2022

<h1>Federal Auditors Need Oklahoma To Return At Least $650,000 of Governor’s COVID-19 Reduction Funds</h1> by Jennifer Palmer and Reese Gorman, Oklahoma Watch July 19, 2022 This story was produced in partnership with the Oklahoma nonprofit newsroom <a href=”https://www.readfrontier.org/”>The Frontier.</a> U.S. Division of Schooling auditors advisable clawing again greater than $650,000 in misspent federal coronavirus aid funds from Gov. Kevin Stitt and reviewing a further $5.5 million in purchases, based on a <a href=”https://www2.ed.gov/about/places of work/checklist/oig/auditreports/fy2022/a20ga0011.pdf”>federal audit</a> launched Tuesday. The questioned spending got here from Stitt’s Bridge the Hole Digital Pockets program, which gave $1,500 grants to low-income households for instructional purchases like computer systems and college provides throughout the pandemic.  Auditors pinpointed questionable expenditures like arcade video games, Christmas bushes, sensible watches, sofas, televisions and fridges totaling $652,720. The extraneous objects made up greater than 10% of all purchases. The $5.5 million is the full of purchases the auditors didn’t analyze and will include unauthorized objects. The tally of noneducational objects households bought with program funds was increased than beforehand reported in a <a href=”https://oklahomawatch.org/2022/05/02/stitt-gave-families-8-million-for-school-supplies-in-the-pandemic-they-bought-christmas-trees-gaming-consoles-and-hundreds-of-tvs/”>joint investigation The Frontier and Oklahoma Watch</a> printed in Could. Auditors additionally discovered Oklahoma did not comply with federal tips for 4 of Stitt’s 5 instructional aid packages, the report exhibits.  State officers gave the Florida-based firm ClassWallet a no-bid contract to manage the Bridge the Hole Digital Pockets program and distribute grants to households. The auditors additionally discovered poor report holding for an additional aid program managed by ClassWallet known as Keep in Faculty. This system distributed tuition grants for as much as $6,500 to college students already attending personal colleges throughout the pandemic.  Oklahoma couldn’t present supporting documentation that college students who obtained grants had been truly enrolled and registered at personal colleges, based on the audit. Kate Vesper, a spokeswoman for the governor, stated Tuesday that the state began an inside audit of Oklahoma’s instructional aid funds a number of months in the past.  “Governor Stitt has known as for extra audits than some other governor in our state’s historical past and is proactive in monitoring and making certain applicable use of Oklahoma taxpayer {dollars},” she stated. “His dedication to transparency and accountability isn’t any completely different right here.”    However the state has <a href=”https://oklahomawatch.org/2022/05/06/state-officials-refuse-to-release-a-report-on-a-troubled-relief-program-where-parents-purchased-tvs-and-smartwatches/”>refused to launch</a> a overview of this system by a personal contractor.  Oklahoma responded by putting blame on ClassWallet, saying the corporate assured there could be no fraud. However the state stated it will take steps to enhance its monitoring of federal grants. In response to the audit, Oklahoma stated that it was working in a ”high-pressure surroundings” because of the results of COVID and that it acted in good religion to “guarantee funds related to Bridge the Hole initiative had been correctly expended when it contracted with ClassWallet.” However the auditors say the state can not simply cross blame to ClassWallet. Oklahoma didn’t say it will return the funds or overview for some other unallowable Bridge the Hole expenditures, auditors wrote. “Because the recipient of the GEER grant funds, Oklahoma was chargeable for making certain that its grant funds had been used correctly,” auditors stated. The Frontier and Oklahoma Watch reported in Could the state had returned $2.9 million in unused instructional aid funds to the U.S. Division of Schooling. The audit revealed the funds had been returned to the U.S. Division of Schooling and reallocated in Could 2021 to the Oklahoma Division of Schooling to be distributed to public colleges for summer time college packages.  <h2><robust>Oklahoma Did Not Make the most of Classwallet’s Monitoring Capabilities</robust></h2> State officers declare it was ClassWallet’s duty to supervise the aid cash and have threatened to sue the corporate.  Secretary of Schooling Ryan Walters, who’s now a candidate for state superintendent, claimed throughout a debate in June <a href=”https://www.newson6.com/story/629b963c6cbd8a018a615e8c/gop-state-supt-candidates-answer-questions-on-issues-affecting-oklahoma-schools”>that he found that ClassWallet</a> hadn’t upheld its finish of the contract and that he’s working to carry the corporate accountable. However emails present that Walters labored to safe ClassWallet the state contract even earlier than Stitt named him Secretary of Schooling in September of 2020. Beneath the contract, ClassWallet gave the state entry to a system to view experiences and summaries of purchases, however it wasn’t till February 2021 — a month after this system ended  — that the previous director of statewide operations for Oklahoma accessed the knowledge, they usually solely did so as soon as, the audit stated.  The auditors discovered that “Oklahoma didn’t use all accessible controls in ClassWallet’s digital pockets system” to observe how grant cash was spent.  Walters granted “blanket approval” to purchases comprised of pre-approved distributors on the ClassWallet platform, which included Workplace Depot and, for a short while, Dwelling Depot. Walters was government director of the nonprofit group Each Child Counts Oklahoma and never a state official when he authorised the purchases.  <h2><robust>Oklahoma’s ‘Keep In Faculty’ Program Additionally Lacked Correct Oversight </robust></h2> For the Keep in Faculty program, auditors had been unable to confirm eligibility for eight of 10 randomly chosen college students. College students who attended eligible personal colleges might obtain tuition help by this system. However ClassWallet subcontracted the eligibility verification to a separate firm that routinely deletes emails after 90 days.   Auditors advocate Oklahoma overview the eligibility of all members, or at the very least a bigger pattern.  In December 2020, Stitt issued a <a href=”https://oklahoma.gov/content material/dam/okay/en/governor/paperwork/sis-report–print.pdf”>report</a> in regards to the Keep in Faculty program, citing it as proof that personal colleges aren’t only for the rich. “Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Keep in Faculty Fund program proves the robust want of Oklahoma mother and father from all earnings ranges and all places for college alternative, proves the state can present needy households a top quality schooling for a mean of as little as $5,132 per little one, and proves that personal colleges throughout Oklahoma will gladly settle for kids from the decrease rungs of the financial ladder.” Mother and father who obtained grants stated they had been grateful for the monetary help throughout the pandemic. One mother or father stated that with out the grant cash, her daughter would have needed to go away her parochial college in Oklahoma Metropolis for her final 12 months of junior excessive. “Her psychological well being suffered rather a lot throughout the pandemic. That has been the case for thus many youngsters and the comeback has been sluggish. She missed out on…many cherished occasions. I can not think about what she would have gone by had she needed to go away her college, too,” the mother or father wrote. She requested to not be named out of concern for her daughter’s privateness.  For Keep in Faculty, Bridge the Hole Digital Pockets, and two different instructional aid packages, known as Study Wherever Oklahoma and Expertise to Rebuild, the state couldn’t present auditors proof that aid cash went to organizations “most importantly impacted by the coronavirus or deemed important for finishing up emergency instructional companies,” as required by this system.  The one program that did meet federal tips was an incentive grant program managed by the state Division of Schooling. Stitt used <a href=”https://sde.okay.gov/newsblog/2020-07-01/gov-stitt-supt-hofmeister-award-16-million-federal-grants-150-school-districts”>$8 million to match the division’s $8 million</a>, for a complete of $16 million distributed for web connectivity, psychological well being help, and different initiatives. <div model=”peak:18px” aria-hidden=”true” class=”wp-block-spacer”></div> This <a goal=”_blank” href=”https://oklahomawatch.org/2022/07/19/federal-auditors-want-oklahoma-to-return-at-least-650000-of-governors-covid-19-relief-funds/”>article</a> first appeared on <a goal=”_blank” href=”https://oklahomawatch.org”>Oklahoma Watch</a> and is republished right here beneath a Inventive Commons license.<img src=”https://i0.wp.com/oklahomawatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/okwatch-icon.png?match=150percent2C150&ssl=1″ model=”width:1em;peak:1em;margin-left:10px;”><img id=”republication-tracker-tool-source” src=”https://oklahomawatch.org/?republication-pixel=true&publish=700222&ga=UA-41441228-1″ model=”width:1px;peak:1px;”><div class="mvp-post-ad-wrap">Advertisement<div class="mvp-post-ad"> <div id="M815923ScriptRootC1332091"> </div> <script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.co.uk/n/e/newspub.live.1332091.js" async> </script>  </div></div>

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Oklahoma

Which NFL playoff teams have players with Oklahoma ties? We break it down

Published

6 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Which NFL playoff teams have players with Oklahoma ties? We break it down

The NFL Playoffs are upon us, and every team that made the postseason has at least one player with connections to our state. Some played Oklahoma high school football. Others spent all or some of their college years here at OU, Oklahoma State or elsewhere.

Here’s a look at the NFL players with a chance at a Super Bowl LIX ring:

Los Angeles Chargers

Tony Jefferson, S, OU: Came out of retirement this season after spending a year as a scout for the Ravens. Spent time on the practice squad, but played in five of the Chargers last six regular season games.

Houston Texans

Joe Mixon, RB, OU: After spending his first seven seasons in Cincinnati, Mixon had a Pro Bowl season in Houston, rushing for over 1,000 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren, RB, OSU: Took a small step back behind Najee Harris, rushing for a career-low 511 yards. But Warren was sidelined for a couple of games with a back injury and has been strong of late.

Devin Harper, LB, OSU: Has been on Pittsburgh’s practice squad all season after being waived by Cincinnati.

Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrews, TE, OU: Arguably the best tight end in football. Has a career-high 11 touchdown catches this season after escaping injury in August when he was involved in a major car accident.

Justice Hill, RB, Tulsa Booker T. Washington HS/OSU: Back-up to standout Derrick Henry. Hill missed the last two games of the regular season after suffering a concussion.

Charlie Kolar, TE, Norman North HS: The third leg of the Ravens’ talented tight end group, pairing with Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Kolar, who went to Iowa State, has a career-high nine catches and 131 receiving yards.

Tylan Wallace, WR, OSU: Having a career year in his fourth season with the Ravens, catching a career-high 11 passes for 193 yards. Scored his first NFL receiving touchdown in Week 10 against the Bengals.

Denver Broncos

Nik Bonitto, LB, OU: A first-time Pro Bowler who has been mentioned in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. Has 13.5 sacks, the first Bronco with double-digit sacks since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

Marvin Mims, WR, OU: Another Pro Bowler. Speedy wideout is second on the team with 503 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. Also returns punts and kicks.

Ben Powers, OL, OU: Started every game for the Broncos at left guard. Third consecutive season he has logged over 1,000 snaps, the first in Baltimore, the last two in Denver.

Delarrin Turner-Yell, S, OU: On the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Has not played a snap for the Broncos this season.

Tanner McCalister, DB, OSU: On the practice squad. Spent his final college season (2022) at Ohio State after four years in Stillwater.

Buffalo Bills

Jordan Phillips, DT, OU: Has played in five games since being released by Dallas in November and signed the very next day by Buffalo. Played for the Bills in two previous stints.

Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs, RB, Tulsa McLain HS: Rushed for a team-high 1,329 yards in his first season with the Packers. The Alabama product has a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns, too.

Alex Hale, K, OSU: Has spent his entire rookie season on the Packers’ practice squad.

Marquis Hayes, OL, OU: On the practice squad. Second-year pro has yet to make his NFL debut.

Philadelphia Eagles

Grant Calcaterra, TE, OU: Started a career-high 13 games, logging career bests in catches (24) and receiving yards (298). After medically retiring and leaving OU following the 2019 season, finished his college career at SMU.

Jalen Hurts, QB, OU: In the MVP hunt before Philly sidekick Saquon Barkley stole everyone’s spotlight. Hurts missed the Eagles’ last two regular season games after suffering a concussion.

Lane Johnson, OL, OU: Earned his fifth invitation to the Pro Bowl this season. May well add another All-Pro honor. Made 14 starts at right tackle.

Washington Commanders

Tyler Ott, LS, Jenks HS: Tenth-year pro who played collegiately at Harvard is in his first season with Washington. Named a Pro Bowl alternate.

Chris Paul, OL, Tulsa: Guard has played in six games this season as a reserve.

Tress Way, P, Tulsa Union HS/OU: Making only his second playoff appearance in 11 seasons in Washington. The team captain and fan favorite set the franchise record for career punting yards earlier this season.

Austin Seibert, K, OU: Has been on injured reserve since missing a field goal and two extra points against Dallas. Made all his PATs and 27 of 29 field goals before that. Missed the two games prior with a hip injury.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield, QB, OU: Having his best pro season, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus passing grade of 82.4 ranks just behind Josh Allen, ahead of Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes.

Sterling Shepard, WR, Heritage Hall HS/OU: Resurrected his career in Tampa Bay. After eight seasons with the Giants, the last two of which were rough, Shepard has 32 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown.

Minnesota Vikings

Brian Asamoah, LB, OU: Reserve has played in 14 games this season, his third in Minnesota.

Jalen Redmond, DL, Midwest City HS/OU: One of the best comeback stories this season. Spent last season out of the NFL, then played in the UFL, hooked on with the Vikings’ practice squad but elevated and played in seven of the past eight games, starting two.

Walter Rouse, OL, OU: Made his NFL debut in Week 13 against the Cardinals but has not played otherwise.

Los Angeles Rams

Neville Gallimore, NT, OU: Has played in 14 games and made four starts in his first season with Rams. Spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Dallas.

Drake Stoops, WR, OU: Undrafted free agent has spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.

A.J. Green, CB, OSU: Has been on the practice squad all season after spending the previous four seasons in Cleveland.

Kansas City Chiefs

Marquise Brown, WR, OU: Missed the first 14 games of the season due to a shoulder injury. Had nine catches in the two games he played since returning.

Creed Humphrey, OL, Shawnee HS/OU: Continues to build his case as the best center in the NFL. Stalwart and leader of KC’s offensive line. Has made 67 consecutive starts.

Wanya Morris, OL, OU: Second-year pro has made 11 starts this season. Bounced between left tackle and right tackle, the position at which he seems more natural.

Samaje Perine, RB, OU: Reserve power back has played in all of Kansas City’s games this season. Often used in short-yardage situations.

James Winchester, LS, Washington HS/OU: No current long snapper has been more consistent longer. One of only six current players on the Kansas City roster to be part of the franchise’s three most recent Super Bowl titles.

McKade Mettauer, OL, OU: Undrafted free agent signed by Kansas City, then placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during a preseason game.

Detroit Lions

Malcolm Rodriguez, LB, Wagoner HS/OSU: On injured reserve since Week 13 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Chicago. Prior to that, he’d played in 10 games, starting six, with 43 tackles and two sacks.

Did we forget someone? If you know of another player with ties to the state of Oklahoma in the NFL Playoffs, email Jenni Carlson at jcarlson@oklahoman.com.

Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at 405-475-4125 or jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

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OKLAHOMA STANDARD: Neighbors help clear driveways and streets after snowstorm

Published

17 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

OKLAHOMA STANDARD: Neighbors help clear driveways and streets after snowstorm

TULSA, Okla — Ryder Tackett is a lifelong resident of Tulsa, and he’s happy to enjoy a little snow—but he also doesn’t mind clearing it up for drivers.

“I don’t want my parents slipping out onto the road,” he said.

He told 2News Oklahoma’s Isabel Flores about how he plows his driveway to make sure his parents stay safe after every snowfall.

This year, he said he’d ask his neighbors if they’d like their driveways plowed, too.

FLORES: “Have you seen anyone or have you yourself gone to other houses?”
TACKETT: “Uh no, I think I’m gonna do that actually. I just started.”
FLORES: “Oh wow! So you’re gonna go around?”
TACKETT: “Yeah, I think so, yeah.”

PJ Turner was also outside salting and plowing driveways.

He’s the Land Service Manager with Rancho Flores, a company that specializes in all kinds of yard work.

After all the fallen snow, Turner said it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation.

“We need a community of people, it takes a herd,” he said. “I think the more we help each other out, the better it is for our community. Plus, we can get out here in this fresh air.”

Turner said Rancho Flores plows and sands between one and two hundred driveways in midtown Tulsa and is happy to lend a helping hand.

“It’s a good feeling to be able to help people out, to be able to bring some peace of mind to them,” he said.

Sharing the same sentiment, Ryder said he wants to make sure to keep people safe too.

“I think the importance of cleaning after the snow is probably to make sure no one slides into the road probably, no one gets hit by a car,” he said.

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —

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Oklahoma State LB Jeff Roberson Headed to Big 10 School

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma State LB Jeff Roberson Headed to Big 10 School

Oklahoma State’s most recent transfer portal departure has already found a new home.

On Monday, OSU linebacker Jeff Roberson announced he was entering the transfer portal and looking to close his career elsewhere. Roberson wasted no time finding his next school, as he committed to Minnesota on Thursday.

Roberson began his career at OSU in 2020 and mostly played on special teams and as a backup throughout the first few years of his career. After missing the entire 2022 season with an injury, he came back in 2023 to play largely the same role.

However, his luck changed in 2024. With so many injuries throughout the OSU defense, the Cowboys needed players to step up at every position, and Roberson took advantage. In 2024, Roberson played in every game and finished with 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss and an interception. Before entering the transfer portal, Roberson’s numbers from 2024 would have made him OSU’s leading returning tackler.

Roberson’s departure was about as surprising as any move at OSU this offseason. Considering he had spent the first five seasons of his career in Stillwater and finally carved out a sizeable role last season, it appeared Roberson would carry that momentum into 2025 as a leader of the OSU defense.

Instead, he used his extra opportunity and leap to find a better situation as OSU overhauled its coaching staff and continues to bring in various defensive players through the transfer portal. However, going to Minnesota was the second surprising part of his decision. Early predictions were for Roberson, a Choctaw native, to stay in his home state and play at Oklahoma next season. As he makes his way north to play for PJ Fleck’s team next season, there is no doubt Roberson can have an impact to finish his career.

Want to join the discussion? Like Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

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