No one saw it coming that the Oklahoma State Cowboys would emerge as a leading contender in the 2024-25 NCAA season with David Taylor at the helm. With John Smith’s retirement, the Olympic champion stepped up to the plate, fulfilling expectations and leaving the Cowboys fanbase satisfied. Taylor guided the Cowboys to an impressive 13-1 dual meet record, securing the Big 12 Conference title and earning a commendable third-place finish at the NCAA National Championships.
With his leadership, the team achieved the remarkable feat of producing six All-Americans and two individual national champions. Taylor’s tenure kicked off with an impressive 38-6 win against Utah Valley, signaling a powerful beginning to his coaching journey. He skillfully led the team to a commanding 36-3 victory against Missouri, captivating an audience of 10,740, marking the fifth-largest home attendance in the history of the program.
Additional accomplishments? It appears that the list could potentially expand further. Amid the bustling transfer portal, speculation is rife that Richard Figueroa is poised to join the Oklahoma State Cowboys. On X, The Wrestling Room stated, “Per source, Figueroa turned down twice as much in NIL $ to become a Poke… Wanted to be part of the exciting new culture under DT and plans to train/wrestle at their RTC moving forward as well.”
It’s not every day that a college athlete opts to decline an NIL deal, which can be worth millions. However, when the opportunity to train under David Taylor arises, wrestlers may prioritize their experience at OKSU above all else.
Per source, Figueroa turned down twice as much in NIL $ to become a Poke… Wanted to be part of the exciting new culture under DT and plans to train/wrestle at their RTC moving forward as well. https://t.co/oYLfFEOVtv
— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) April 6, 2025
This is a developing report…
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