Oklahoma State University Athletics
2017 Football Roster
Roster
Mwaniki, Thabo

Jersey Number 28
Thabo Mwaniki
- Height:
- 5-11
- Weight:
- 185
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Denton, TX
- High School:
- Guyer
Bio
Pronounced TAW-bo MWAH-nee-kee
2017 Russell Okung Award (OSU’s Outstanding Newcomer)
Gained valuable experience as a true freshman in 2017 ... Part of the pipeline to Oklahoma State from Denton Guyer HS.
2017 (Freshman): The only true freshman to start for the Cowboys in 2017, as he earned the starting nod in his second career game at South Alabama, then again later in the season against Kansas State ... Recorded his first career interception in OSU’s win over Baylor ... Finished the season with 22 tackles, including 19 solo stops ... Five of his tackles came on kickoff coverage ... Recorded three tackles each against South Alabama, Baylor and Oklahoma ... Had multiple tackles in eight games.
High School: Played for coach John Walsh at Denton Guyer HS, filling a versatile roll as a defense back, linebacker, ball carrier, wide receiver and quarterback … Filled up the stat sheet as a senior, recording 64 tackles, nine passes defended and an interception on defense while totaling 243 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 43 carries, 261 receiving yards and one touchdown on 16 receptions and 63 passing yards with zero interceptions on 9-of-15 passing on offense … A second-team selection at safety to the 6-6A all-district team as a senior despite covering such a wide range of responsibilities on the team … Junior numbers included 61 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass break ups and fumble recovery on defense and 293 receiving yards and touchdown on 18 catches on offense … Saw his first varsity action as a sophomore, totaling 56 tackles, five tackles for loss, a pass break up and a fumble recovery … Earned first-team all-district honors at linebacker as a junior and was a second-team all-district selection at safety as a sophomore … Also competed for the track and field team … Chose Oklahoma State over reported offers from TCU, UCLA, Colorado, Baylor, SMU, Kansas, Army, Air Force, Colorado State, Connecticut, Fresno State, New Mexico, North Texas and UTSA.
Personal: Thabo Mwaniki was born May 18, 1999, in Princeton, N.J. … Son of Juliet Mwaniki … His relative, Mathias Kiwanuka, played for Boston College and the New York Giants … Plans to study industrial engineering at Oklahoma State.
2017 Russell Okung Award (OSU’s Outstanding Newcomer)
Gained valuable experience as a true freshman in 2017 ... Part of the pipeline to Oklahoma State from Denton Guyer HS.
2017 (Freshman): The only true freshman to start for the Cowboys in 2017, as he earned the starting nod in his second career game at South Alabama, then again later in the season against Kansas State ... Recorded his first career interception in OSU’s win over Baylor ... Finished the season with 22 tackles, including 19 solo stops ... Five of his tackles came on kickoff coverage ... Recorded three tackles each against South Alabama, Baylor and Oklahoma ... Had multiple tackles in eight games.
High School: Played for coach John Walsh at Denton Guyer HS, filling a versatile roll as a defense back, linebacker, ball carrier, wide receiver and quarterback … Filled up the stat sheet as a senior, recording 64 tackles, nine passes defended and an interception on defense while totaling 243 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 43 carries, 261 receiving yards and one touchdown on 16 receptions and 63 passing yards with zero interceptions on 9-of-15 passing on offense … A second-team selection at safety to the 6-6A all-district team as a senior despite covering such a wide range of responsibilities on the team … Junior numbers included 61 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass break ups and fumble recovery on defense and 293 receiving yards and touchdown on 18 catches on offense … Saw his first varsity action as a sophomore, totaling 56 tackles, five tackles for loss, a pass break up and a fumble recovery … Earned first-team all-district honors at linebacker as a junior and was a second-team all-district selection at safety as a sophomore … Also competed for the track and field team … Chose Oklahoma State over reported offers from TCU, UCLA, Colorado, Baylor, SMU, Kansas, Army, Air Force, Colorado State, Connecticut, Fresno State, New Mexico, North Texas and UTSA.
Personal: Thabo Mwaniki was born May 18, 1999, in Princeton, N.J. … Son of Juliet Mwaniki … His relative, Mathias Kiwanuka, played for Boston College and the New York Giants … Plans to study industrial engineering at Oklahoma State.
The Mike Gundy Show: UT Martin Game Review
Thursday, September 04
Making the Squad: Oklahoma State Pom, Pt. 3
Wednesday, September 03
Mike Gundy Previews Cowboys at Oregon - Oklahoma State News Conference (9-1-2025)
Tuesday, September 02
When you think your wife calls during your weekly news conference 😂 #collegefootball #cfb #okstate
Monday, September 01