BYU added a big piece to its defensive front as Oklahoma State defensive tackle Justin Kirkland announced his commitment to BYU.
A graduate of Roy High School, Kirkland is coming back to his home state for his final season of college. Kirkland played his freshman season at Utah Tech before transferring to Oklahoma State and spending the last two seasons in Stillwater. Kirkland was a mainstay along the OSU defensive line, playing in all of the Cowboys 26 games at defensive tackle. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 345 pounds, Kirkland is a big run stopper in the middle of the line who can take on blockers and plug gaps. In 12 games this past season, Kirkland totaled 18 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 1 sack.
Kirkland figures to start alongside Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa in the interior of BYU’s defensive line. BYU also added SUU transfer Anisi Purcell and returns Sani Tuala, Luke Toomalatai, and others to form a solid defensive tackle nucleus.
Kirkland will be a senior this upcoming season and has a redshirt available if needed.