STILLWATER — Markell Samuel, whose first love was basketball, didn’t play varsity football until his junior year at E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The learning curve was brief. Samuel popped as a linebacker and defensive end and earned a scholarship to play at Appalachian State, 200 miles from home.
Listed as a 6-foot-4 and 215-pound defensive lineman, success didn’t come as quickly for Samuel in college. He played a total of two games in his first two seasons. Then, in preseason camp ahead of his redshirt sophomore season, Samuel switched positions from defensive line to offensive line. He appeared in just two games at right tackle that 2022 season.
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Then things clicked.
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Samuel started four games at left tackle as a junior. As a full-time starter last season, Samuel was All-Sun Belt honorable mention.
This season, the sixth and final of his college career, Samuel is poised for another leap — perhaps as Oklahoma State’s starting left tackle on a remade offensive line.
“Very experienced,” fellow O-lineman Austin Kawecki said of Samuel. “He and Bob (Schick) bring a lot of experience to an inexperienced room. They’re also very technical.”
Schick, a super senior like Samuel, transferred to OSU from Virginia Tech — one of the schools Samuel chose OSU over in the portal. Kansas, UCF, UCLA and USC were among Samuel’s other finalists.
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“I love it so much,” Samuel said of being a Cowboy. “I love the tradition and culture around here. Football is really big in Stillwater. It’s really an eye-opener.”
On a team filled with question marks at nearly every position, OSU’s O-line is among the biggest mysteries that has to be solved for the Cowboys to even be competitive in the Big 12. Last season, it was a position group stacked with experience, but one that severely underwhelmed. Mike Gundy fired veteran offensive line coach Charlie Dickey and replaced him with OSU alums Cooper Bassett and Andrew Mitchell to coach up the new-look group.
“They’ve really been helping me out with my technique on pass protection,” Samuel said. “That’s something I really wanted to work on, just being more balanced … just working fundamentals every day.”
It’s a reminder that Samuel, despite logging more than 800 snaps last season, is still learning the nuances of playing offensive line. Still learning how to leverage his 300-pound frame, 85 pounds heavier than when he first arrived at Appalachian State.
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“The biggest challenge has been the mental part, but over these last two years I’ve really been able to get it down,” Samuel said. “I’ve been able to play more confident, really run off the ball and strike people.”
Samuel will have to protect the blindside of Cowboy quarterbacks Zane Flores or Hauss Hejny — neither of whom have attempted a pass in college.
“Both of those guys are both ballers,” Samuel said. “I’m excited to block for both of them.”
When his Appalachian State coaches approached Samuel three summers ago about switching from D-line to O-line, Samuel didn’t hesitate.
“I just wanna play ball,” he told them.
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A decision that led Samuel to Stillwater, where the basketball player turned linebacker turned Sun Belt defensive lineman is about to make his Big 12 debut as an anchor on OSU’s offensive line.
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Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
OSU vs. UT Martin
KICKOFF: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater (ESPN+)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football OL Markell Samuel’s position swap led to Pokes
