Growing up in Oklahoma City, Jaleel Johnson had an appreciation for Oklahoma State football.
The Putnam City North standout defender went to several games in Boone Pickens Stadium, first as a fan and then as a recruit. As an edge in the 2022 recruiting class, Johnson chose Oklahoma State over offers from Baylor, Missouri, Iowa State, Texas Tech and others.
Five years since he committed to the Cowboys in June 2021, Johnson is gearing up for his final season of college football.
Through it all — the wins, the losses, the coaching change, the injuries — Johnson is still a Cowboy, a rarity in today's transfer portal culture.
Thursday, he spoke on why he has remained in Stillwater since he arrived in January 2022.
"Loyal and True to the end," Johnson said. "I love it here, and like I said, man, just the past two years, I used to watch Oklahoma State games growing up — this was never how it was here. It's just unfortunate that it's been like this, but I want to be part of the reason why we turn this ship around."
You can get an annual membership for 50% off . Take advantage now and be among the first people to know everything going on regarding Oklahoma State football, men's and women's basketball, recruiting and much, much, more! Click Her e!
Johnson has moved around positions based on what his defensive coordinator has needed. Now on his fourth defensive coordinator in five years, he is at 287 and still putting muscle on. He's returned from injury and should be full go when spring football practice picks up next month.
Here's everything the fifth-year senior said Thursday.
Experience during transition?
It's definitely been different. Obviously a whole bunch of new faces in here. But really, much hasn't changed. It's still the same thing. We're still here to play ball. Not much has changed.
Process in decision to stay?
Obviously, seeing Coach Gundy go, it hurt, because he's the one who gave me an opportunity to play here. But ultimately, it's gonna be changes, even in the NFL. People come and go al the time. I decided that me staying here would be my best choice, because I have unfinished business here. The past two years haven't been great and I wanna be the reason why we change the narrative.
Decision point?
I'd be lying if I said that I didn't think about leaving, truthfully. But ultimately, I just sat down and chopped it up with family, friends, coaches. Obviously, Coach Morris coming, I knew we had a chance of getting Greg Richmond back, and that's a familiar face for me. I decided that staying here was my best choice.
How much time did it take?
It didn't take long. With everybody feeling how they felt about the season, you get pressure, in a sense. But it didn't take long. I'm from Oklahoma City, so I knew this is where I wanted to be.
New faces on staff?
It's been great. I love Coach Morris, I love Coach Cass. I meet with Coach Cass about the plays and stuff like that. So I'm getting to know him pretty well. Coach Morris, he really believes in me. We've had great conversations. He asks about my family and all that. And they take pride in getting to know their players, new or old. So yeah, it's been a great experience.
Health?
I'm good. I'm getting back to where I want to be. I should be ready soon.
Comparing defenses?
I really liked Coach Grantham's defense. I feel like it was great for me. He put me in position to make plays. With Bowen, I wasn't around. I don't know much about it. But Coach Cass, it's the same thing. He puts us D-linemen in position to make plays. He doesn't want us taking on double-teams. It's a one-on-one block for all of us and I really do like that.
Players coming together?
In the beginning, it was awkward. It was kind of like that with North Texas guys, us guys. But as time went on, Coach Morris makes it a thing that we are family. He's separated our lockers. He's put us next to new guys. In here, we sit next to new guys. We got an event coming this Saturday with a barbecue for all those guys. They take pride in making us be friends and brotherhood.
Morris modeling what he wants there?
Yes, he is. He hasn't sat with me, but Coach Kegans sat with me. It's literally all the coaches. They take pride in getting to know us.
Anything Morris said that made you feel good about coming back?
Yeah, obviously, feeling like being wanted makes anybody want to come back. But he expressed to me how he wants me to lead the defense and he wants me to be here and be a part of this 2026 team.
Nerves about first meeting?
Oh sure, without a doubt. Obviously, I'm not around him. He wasn't around me. We didn't know each other. I didn't know what he was gonna think about me or how he felt about me. There was a chance he didn't want me to be here. There was those nerves. But when I got on the phone with him, we had a conversation that was good, so it made me feel good.
On working with Greg Richmond again:
"It's just like old times, man. He hasn't changed a bit, man. It's great. He's a funny guy. He likes to joke around with us, and he treats us as if we're his own kids. It's good."
On mentally preparing for another install:
"Honestly, it's just a lot of experience because I've had a different defensive coordinator, a different D-line coach almost every year I've been here, so it's just kind of a thing I've gotten used to, honestly."
On Skyler Cassity:
"It's just the fact that he cares about us. Not only football. He, obviously, cares about football, but he cares about us more than the game. He wants to see us succeed. He wants to put us in positions to succeed."
On going from a 60-year-old DC to a 30-year-old DC:
"It's not really much of a difference other than (Todd) Grantham was very intense. And so is Cassity, don't get me wrong, but he's more laid back, he's more down to earth. Kind of resonates more with us because he's closer to our age."
Systems are similar?
"Yes, they are."
On Richmond being back home:
"We talked about it a little bit, about him coming back. He said that it was a struggle moving away from his family because his family stayed here when he went to Sam Houston and North Texas. Him coming back to not only see his family but to see us, the guys that he coached back in the day, it was good for him. I'm happy for him."
On what Richmond told Morris and Cassity about him:
"One of the first few things that Coach Cassity said to me was that G Rich said that offensive linemen have a hard time blocking you, so it's good to know that he was putting in a good word for me, that not only they believe in me but that he believes in me enough to tell them to try to keep me here to play here."
On strength coach Bryan Kegans:
"It's good. He's definitely intense — way different from Glass. I love Glass. I hate that he left. He was here with me for the past four years, but change was needed and I'm glad to have Kegans. He puts us on a very strict plan with certain things, like we have to hit a certain body weight or you have to do a certain amount of weight on the bars and stuff like that. It's a lot more detailed, I would say."
Is there pride in staying in one place for your whole career?
"Oh yeah, for sure. Loyal and True to the end. I love it here, and like I said, man, just the past two years, I used to watch Oklahoma State games growing up — this was never how it was here. It's just unfortunate that it's been like this, but I want to be part of the reason why we turn this ship around."
On how the returning guys wanting to right the ship meshes with all the newcomers to the program:
"I think it benefits all of us, what happened because we know what it feels like to lose. Obviously they came from a winning season, so they know what it feels like to win. So, I feel like we can put our two senses together and come together and have a great year."
On how hard it will be for so many new players to mesh:
"I still don't know everybody's name. We're still learning. It's definitely an experience. It does feel like I basically transferred to a new school because there's so many new guys, but like I said, everybody that came in, we're all brothers. We treat each other as such. We respect each other, so it doesn't feel like it's a new place because I feel like I've known these guys already for a long time."
On Drew Mestemaker:
"I'm excited for Drew, truthfully. Obviously, we were struggling in the quarterback placement for a little bit. I see great potential in him. Even during morning runs, I've seen him take leadership and take control of the team. I'm excited to see what he does for us."