Oklahoma State University Athletics
Trey Rucker: Ball Hawk
October 10, 2024 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER -Â Ranked third in the nation for tackles, Trey Rucker is coming into his own in his fifth collegiate season.Â
The redshirt senior started his career in 2019 at Wake Forest, where he spent two seasons appearing in 18 games. The Waldorf, Maryland native tallied 84 tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, two tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery while a Demon Deacon.Â
In his first season at Oklahoma State in 2021, Rucker appeared in all 14 games and earned OSU's Co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his two-tackle performance in OSU's Bedlam win over No. 10 Oklahoma. Redshirting in 2022, the six-foot safety made the most out of his only appearance in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against Wisconsin, totaling three tackles, a pass breakup, and an interception in the Cowboys endzone. Last season in 2023, Rucker started all 14 games, accumulating 100 tackles, four tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and an interception.Â
Now, in 2024, averaging more than 11 tackles a game, the super senior is only three behind the nation's leader. Halfway through the season, the economics major is on pace for four interceptions and over 135 tackles.Â
In week one, Rucker was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after a 15-tackle game in a win against South Dakota State.
"I just give all glory to God. He allowed me to prepare for the season. Coming off of last year, I'm just believing in my ability and myself," Rucker said.Â
Dylan Smith, a fellow starter in the Cowboy secondary, is impressed with Rucker's strong start to the season.Â
"It's something I've never seen and never played with before," Smith said. "A safety getting double-digit tackles every game? I just love it for him."
Smith notes Rucker's significant improvements from last year, particularly in leadership, preparation and mentality both on and off the field.Â
"He's a lot more vocal with correcting guys, getting everybody into film, helping young guys, whatever it may be. Secondly, leading by example, we all see what he does on Saturdays, but he does it every day at practice, too," Smith said. "Then his mentality, he always has the mentality to go out there and kill."Â
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy was nothing but high praise for the veteran safety after a busy day against Utah.Â
"He's playing awesome, great leadership. Fourteen tackles, two interceptions and an IV, the guy had a full day's work. He just keeps playing and keeps hitting," Gundy said. "You run him in there and you watch him, the violence of the game that he plays just makes you cringe. Thrilled to have him, and he's been a great leader for us."
Rucker credits much of his success to his teammates, highlighting the importance of their roles in his game to play freely.Â
"I'm thankful for my defensive line being in the right spots and my linebackers making the right fits so I can fly around and have fun," Rucker said.Â
