Kyler Pearson: Got his Chance

STILLWATER - You may have wondered who number 12 was having those successful kick and punt returns last week since he didn't have his last name on the back of his jersey. Well, that's Kyler Pearson.

Starting with number 27, then changing to 14 and now 12, Pearson went through two number changes to be able to play special teams because the two previous numbers were already in use. With two number changes in two weeks, Pearson was not able to have his last name on his jersey. Pearson had four kickoff returns against Arizona State, including one where he ripped off 25 yards and another he took to the house for a touchdown but was called back due to a holding penalty. Later in the fourth, Pearson returned a punt for 37 yards to opponent territory, setting up an Oklahoma State touchdown later that drive. The redshirt senior walk-on didn't mind the number change or even not having his last name on his back, he was just happy to get his chance.

"It was a big moment for me. It was special for me and my whole family being able to watch," Pearson said. "That was a big opportunity for me and I made the most of it. It made it all worth it turning around, celebrating with my teammates and seeing how happy they were for me."

The 5-foot-6 Tulsa native started his career at Kansas in 2020. Spending two seasons as a Jayhawk, Pearson tallied ten kickoff returns for 133 yards. Transferring to UT Martin in 2022, Pearson saw limited action and decided to hit the portal and make Stillwater his next stop.

"I just feel at home. Being here, being so close to my family, being around a lot of people that I grew up with on the team that I played against in high school," Pearson said. "It really is a brotherhood here and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love the culture and what Coach Gundy has built here."

Despite not seeing any in-game action in 2023, Pearson continued to work hard and was named OSU's offense practice player of the week against UCF. The brotherhood and culture that head coach Mike Gundy has established in the Cowboys' locker room made Pearson unable to turn down coming back for his fifth year.

"Not everything is guaranteed," Pearson said. "Obviously, at my size, I'm already against the odds. I think I can still play, and that was why I wanted to come back and give it a shot for a fifth year, like why not? You never know what could happen."

This past Saturday against ASU, after a two-and-a-half-hour halftime due to a rain delay, Pearson was a holding call away from taking the opening second-half kickoff for a touchdown.

"We manifested that," Pearson said. "We were like, 'Hey, we're taking this to the house.' When we broke that huddle right out of halftime, everybody was locked in and we did. It sucks that we got the holding call, but something like that can be called on every play. It sucks, but we know we're one block away every time and can break that at any time."

Pearson has seen action in three games so far into the 2024 season, totaling six kick returns for an average of 18 yards and three punt returns.

"I feel like I'm starting to earn the trust of not only the coaches but my teammates, they trust me back there. Even BP (Brennan Presley) said after that first return, 'You got it, this is you now.' It was like handing the baton off, and coming from someone like him, that means a lot," Pearson said.

Presley's encouragement helped Pearson gain even more confidence in his abilities, knowing he had his back and believed in his potential.

"He did amazing. I know he can do amazing on punt and kick return. He's fearless. That's not going to be the only (big return) he gets in his career here or for the rest of the season. He's going to get some more," Presley said.

From walking on to making big plays in the special teams unit, you now know who Kyler Pearson is, whether his last name is on the back of his jersey or not.

"It sucks I wasn't able to have my name on the back, but at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter," Pearson said. "I'm still trying to convince them. Hopefully, last week was enough to get my last name on the back."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Kyler Pearson

Brennan Presley

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