Oklahoma State University Athletics
Ready to Roll
September 16, 2020 | Cowboy Football
Malcom Rodriguez and Kolby Harvell-Peel Media Availability
STILLWATER – When Oklahoma State battles Tulsa in the Bank of Oklahoma Turnpike Classic this Saturday, the Cowboys will do so with a veteran defense.
A centerpiece of the group is safety Kolby Harvell-Peel. An All-America candidate in 2020, Harvell-Peel returns to the lineup after missing the Houston Bowl to injury.
"Now I feel great," Harvell-Peel said. "The process was rehabbing and then the quarantine hit so guys had to go home, so I had to make sure I was staying up to date with my rehab and where I was supposed to be. I went full speed the first day of camp and every day since then I've been feeling better and better and more like myself so I am ready to roll on Saturday."
Harvell-Peel recorded five interceptions and two fumble recoveries as part of his breakout sophomore season where he claimed first-team All-Big 12 honors. He was one of two players in the FBS to be in the top 30 nationally in both interceptions and fumble recoveries.
Now he moves into a new role as a veteran leader on the defense in 2020.
"Everybody keeps saying stuff about me being a vet now, but I feel like I'm still new since I've only been here for two years," Harvell-Peel said. "To see young guys come in and be able to play with them and give them any wisdom that I have, it's definitely fun."
Having him on the field is a game changer for the Cowboy defense that came into its own down the stretch of the 2019 season by holding each of its final six opponents below their season scoring average.
"Kolby is doing well back there," linebacker Malcom Rodriguez said. "He's flying around just like he was last year, if not better. He's recovered and ready to go. He doesn't really talk much, but when he does, we all look up to him."
Harvell-Peel begins the 2020 season on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented to the nation's best defensive back. That kind of recognition brings expectations, but Harvell-Peel said he knows his work is far from over and credits his mother for instilling a strong work ethic.
"I'm very appreciative. We put in a lot of work all through the offseason and put in a lot of work in practice, so you hope to go out there on Saturday and actually go make plays and reap the rewards for it."
STILLWATER – When Oklahoma State battles Tulsa in the Bank of Oklahoma Turnpike Classic this Saturday, the Cowboys will do so with a veteran defense.
A centerpiece of the group is safety Kolby Harvell-Peel. An All-America candidate in 2020, Harvell-Peel returns to the lineup after missing the Houston Bowl to injury.
"Now I feel great," Harvell-Peel said. "The process was rehabbing and then the quarantine hit so guys had to go home, so I had to make sure I was staying up to date with my rehab and where I was supposed to be. I went full speed the first day of camp and every day since then I've been feeling better and better and more like myself so I am ready to roll on Saturday."
Harvell-Peel recorded five interceptions and two fumble recoveries as part of his breakout sophomore season where he claimed first-team All-Big 12 honors. He was one of two players in the FBS to be in the top 30 nationally in both interceptions and fumble recoveries.
Now he moves into a new role as a veteran leader on the defense in 2020.
"Everybody keeps saying stuff about me being a vet now, but I feel like I'm still new since I've only been here for two years," Harvell-Peel said. "To see young guys come in and be able to play with them and give them any wisdom that I have, it's definitely fun."
Having him on the field is a game changer for the Cowboy defense that came into its own down the stretch of the 2019 season by holding each of its final six opponents below their season scoring average.
"Kolby is doing well back there," linebacker Malcom Rodriguez said. "He's flying around just like he was last year, if not better. He's recovered and ready to go. He doesn't really talk much, but when he does, we all look up to him."
Harvell-Peel begins the 2020 season on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented to the nation's best defensive back. That kind of recognition brings expectations, but Harvell-Peel said he knows his work is far from over and credits his mother for instilling a strong work ethic.
"I'm very appreciative. We put in a lot of work all through the offseason and put in a lot of work in practice, so you hope to go out there on Saturday and actually go make plays and reap the rewards for it."
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