Oklahoma State University Athletics
Averette Returns Home for Season Opener
August 28, 2015 | Cowboy Football
For Oklahoma State's Devante Averette, the 2015 season opener at Central Michigan is a homecoming.
The standout linebacker hails from Detroit, Mich., where he made a name for himself at Melvindale High school before spending two seasons at Ellsworth CC and eventually landing in Stillwater.
Central Michigan University lies in the heart of Mt. Pleasant, only a two hour drive from Averette's former stomping grounds. When the Cowboys kick off the upcoming season in CMU's Kelly/Shorts Stadium, several members of the Averette family will be in the stands.
It's a dream come true for Averette, but it wouldn't have been possible without a lengthy journey back from the worst injury of his career. Â
Not too long after arriving on the OSU campus in 2014, Averette suffered a torn ACL during preseason practice, putting his junior season and his future in jeopardy. He was able to regain enough strength to appear in conference contests against Texas Tech and Iowa State, but the road to recovery had just begun.
"I felt fine out there, but when I saw myself on film, I felt like it wasn't me," Averette said. "Even though I felt good and everything was moving alright, I could tell that I was losing a couple of steps and I couldn't make the right cuts. I just decided to play it safe."
Averette made the conscious decision to sit out for the remainder of the season, hoping to put in enough work to be at 100 percent for the start of the 2015 campaign.
Many athletes will say that recovering from an injury is just as enduring and vigorous as the hardships of a 14-game season, if not worse. Averette's offseason was filled with daily rehab routines, each helping him recuperate from the side effects of his ill-timed injury.
The path to being back at full strength wasn't easy, Averette claimed, but thanks to support from friends and family and an undying work ethic, anything was possible.
"Rehabbing, rehabbing and rehabbing. Â Every single day," Averette said. "There was a lot of motivation at first. When I was squatting, I couldn't even get up to 315. After I finished my rehab, though, I had it back up to 480 or 500."
"I was really motivated, overall. I did some yoga, and basically anything to get those muscles back to where they needed to be."
With fresh confidence and a repaired right knee, Averette was able to compete enough to feel like himself again, unlike when he returned in the middle of his first season with the Cowboys.
His work throughout the rehab process paid off, as Averette had a stellar fall camp. He came up big when he was needed most, even catching the attention of head coach Mike Gundy during his first team reps.
"Devante is everywhere," Gundy said after a fall practice session. "Every time I turn around, he shows up somewhere."
The primary talking points of a season opener typically consist of questions about how a team will play after months of preparation, practice and training. For Averette, though, Oklahoma State's matchup with Central Michigan means much more.Â
As the only player on the Oklahoma State roster originating from Michigan, Averette has a close connection with the contest.
When asked about the last time he played in front of the family, Averette realized it had been years since he'd been on the field in front of those he loved most.
"High school was probably the last time, so it's been a while," Averette said. "It's a good chance for me to show how grateful I am to be back out on the field, though, especially with it being in front of my home crowd."
"It's like a homecoming-type of thing, and I'm going to make it count."
After closing out 2014 with a wild Bedlam victory and a win over Washington in the Cactus Bowl, Averette and the Cowboys are on the path toward taking last year's success and using it toward the fresh, upcoming season.
The revamped Oklahoma State squad will begin the 2015 season on Thursday, Sept. 3, with Averette ready to suit up and contribute to a promising defensive unit.
The up-and-coming linebacker says he has ultimate confidence in himself, his teammates and his coaches, and believes this year's Cowboys can make a splash on the national scene.
 "I came here for a job, to help Oklahoma State win a national championship," Averette said. "I saw when we played Florida State, what kind of team we could have when everyone is healthy and on the same page. I feel like we could make it all the way this year."
Â
The standout linebacker hails from Detroit, Mich., where he made a name for himself at Melvindale High school before spending two seasons at Ellsworth CC and eventually landing in Stillwater.
Central Michigan University lies in the heart of Mt. Pleasant, only a two hour drive from Averette's former stomping grounds. When the Cowboys kick off the upcoming season in CMU's Kelly/Shorts Stadium, several members of the Averette family will be in the stands.
It's a dream come true for Averette, but it wouldn't have been possible without a lengthy journey back from the worst injury of his career. Â
Not too long after arriving on the OSU campus in 2014, Averette suffered a torn ACL during preseason practice, putting his junior season and his future in jeopardy. He was able to regain enough strength to appear in conference contests against Texas Tech and Iowa State, but the road to recovery had just begun.
"I felt fine out there, but when I saw myself on film, I felt like it wasn't me," Averette said. "Even though I felt good and everything was moving alright, I could tell that I was losing a couple of steps and I couldn't make the right cuts. I just decided to play it safe."
Averette made the conscious decision to sit out for the remainder of the season, hoping to put in enough work to be at 100 percent for the start of the 2015 campaign.
Many athletes will say that recovering from an injury is just as enduring and vigorous as the hardships of a 14-game season, if not worse. Averette's offseason was filled with daily rehab routines, each helping him recuperate from the side effects of his ill-timed injury.
The path to being back at full strength wasn't easy, Averette claimed, but thanks to support from friends and family and an undying work ethic, anything was possible.
"Rehabbing, rehabbing and rehabbing. Â Every single day," Averette said. "There was a lot of motivation at first. When I was squatting, I couldn't even get up to 315. After I finished my rehab, though, I had it back up to 480 or 500."
"I was really motivated, overall. I did some yoga, and basically anything to get those muscles back to where they needed to be."
With fresh confidence and a repaired right knee, Averette was able to compete enough to feel like himself again, unlike when he returned in the middle of his first season with the Cowboys.
His work throughout the rehab process paid off, as Averette had a stellar fall camp. He came up big when he was needed most, even catching the attention of head coach Mike Gundy during his first team reps.
"Devante is everywhere," Gundy said after a fall practice session. "Every time I turn around, he shows up somewhere."
The primary talking points of a season opener typically consist of questions about how a team will play after months of preparation, practice and training. For Averette, though, Oklahoma State's matchup with Central Michigan means much more.Â
As the only player on the Oklahoma State roster originating from Michigan, Averette has a close connection with the contest.
When asked about the last time he played in front of the family, Averette realized it had been years since he'd been on the field in front of those he loved most.
"High school was probably the last time, so it's been a while," Averette said. "It's a good chance for me to show how grateful I am to be back out on the field, though, especially with it being in front of my home crowd."
"It's like a homecoming-type of thing, and I'm going to make it count."
After closing out 2014 with a wild Bedlam victory and a win over Washington in the Cactus Bowl, Averette and the Cowboys are on the path toward taking last year's success and using it toward the fresh, upcoming season.
The revamped Oklahoma State squad will begin the 2015 season on Thursday, Sept. 3, with Averette ready to suit up and contribute to a promising defensive unit.
The up-and-coming linebacker says he has ultimate confidence in himself, his teammates and his coaches, and believes this year's Cowboys can make a splash on the national scene.
 "I came here for a job, to help Oklahoma State win a national championship," Averette said. "I saw when we played Florida State, what kind of team we could have when everyone is healthy and on the same page. I feel like we could make it all the way this year."
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Cowboy FootballOklahoma State vs. UCF | Condensed Game Highlights (02-07-2026)
Saturday, February 07
Cowgirl Basketball Media Availability | Oklahoma State Postgame vs. UCF (02-07-2026)
Saturday, February 07
Cowboy Wrestling Media Availability | Oklahoma State Postgame vs. Little Rock (02-06-26)
Saturday, February 07
Oklahoma State vs. Little Rock | Condensed Dual Highlights (02-06-2026)
Saturday, February 07
