4-Star Recruit Kevin Henry Flips Commitment from LSU to Oklahoma State

Defensive back Kevin Henry supplied a surprise Tuesday when he backed off an eight-month verbal pledge to LSU. The 4-star Baton Rouge standout decided against staying home and flipped his commitment to Oklahoma State, per Sean Ceglinsky of 247Sports.

Henry, a 6'1", 200-pound Central High School senior, admitted he was still open to exploring other collegiate possibilities this summer. However, his allegiance to Les Miles' coaching staff never publicly seemed in doubt.

"I'm opening up my options a little bit, but I'm still committed [to LSU]," he told Jerit Roser of NOLA.com in July. "I really wanna go there, but I'm opening up my options, just because of a backup plan. You never know what's gonna go on in recruiting."

His decision to depart LSU's class serves as further proof of that sentiment. 

Oklahoma State lands a physically imposing prospect who will immediately upgrade the defensive secondary. He becomes the Cowboys' third 4-star commit this cycle, joining running back Ronald Jones II and cornerback Jaylon Lane. 

His flip continues a recent trend of one-time LSU pledges heading to Stillwater.

Texas cornerback Chris Hardeman committed to Oklahoma State last summer after initially creating a verbal pact with LSU. Fellow 2014 recruit Sione Palelei, a Louisiana running back, took the same path in December.

Henry, rated 19th nationally among safeties in 247Sports' composite rankings, does an excellent job against the run. He patrols the perimeter with confidence and displays enough physicality to be a factor in the offensive backfield.

His greatest strides will come in downfield coverage, particularly when he is tasked with shadowing speedy receivers. Henry has the strength to contend for passes in the intermediate zone and disrupts opponents' timing off the snap.

"I can jam at the line, and I can come up and make the tackle, and I can jump with the best of 'em," he told Roser.

LSU must look elsewhere to fill the void in a class headlined by 5-star defensive back Kevin Toliver. Tigers targets in the secondary include Iman Marshall, Donte Jackson and Tarvarus McFadden.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.