Sophomore safety Thabo Mwaniki to leave OSU

Sophomore safety Thabo Mwaniki, who started Oklahoma State's first four games and hasn't played in its past three, will transfer, he announced on his Twitter account Sunday afternoon.

Mwaniki, a product of Denton Guyer High School in Texas, recorded 17 tackles, one for loss, this season. True freshman Jarrick Bernard began starting over him in the Cowboys' fifth game against Kansas.

OSU's only true freshman to start a season ago, Mwaniki started two games and posted 22 tackles during the season to earn the Russell Okung Award as the Cowboys' outstanding newcomer. Mwaniki committed to the Cowboys out of Denton Guyer over offers from several programs, including Big 12 schools TCU, Baylor and Kansas.

OSU-West Virginia kickoff time announced

Four of OSU’s six home games this season have been night games, but that won’t be the case for the Cowboys’ home finale.

OSU’s matchup with No. 9 West Virginia will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised on ABC.

West Virginia is tied for the Big 12 lead with Oklahoma, while OSU is one victory from bowl eligibility.

Redshirt tracker

Kanion Williams will either not redshirt, or his season is over.

The freshman safety has played in OSU’s past three games, including Saturday’s 48-47 loss to Oklahoma, and four games overall.

If Williams plays in one of the Cowboys’ final two games or their potential bowl game, he won’t be able to redshirt. He has primarily played on special teams.

Otherwise noteworthy is that the five Cowboy freshmen who have appeared in only one game thus far are guaranteed to redshirt, given that OSU has a maximum of three games left this season.

Here’s a look at where things stand for the Cowboys’ redshirt-eligible players through 10 games, per OSU’s official participation report.

Played in more than four games, not eligible to redshirt

Bernard, safety, freshman

Tanner McCalister, cornerback, freshman

Kolby Peel, safety, freshman

Played in four games, must appear in no more games to redshirt

Darrion Daniels, defensive tackle, senior (out for the season with injury)

Jalen McCleskey, receiver, senior (elected to sit out and transfer)

Kanion Williams, safety, freshman

Played in one game, guaranteed to redshirt

Bryce Bray, offensive lineman, freshman

JayVeon Cardwell, cornerback, freshman

Sean Michael Flanagan, safety, freshman

Jonathan Shepherd, receiver, freshman

Tyrese Williams, offensive lineman, freshman