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2026 Top 40 Prospect Michael White Flips to Oklahoma State
Lawrence North’s Michael White celebrates with a coach after winning the 190-pound bout against Boonville’s Sam Howard on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, during the first day of the IHSAA boys wrestling state finals tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oklahoma State wrestling program once again shocked the wrestling world this week. The Pokes just landed a major blow with the commitment of Michael White, a top 40 prospect in the 2026 class according to FloWrestling’s Big Board. Announced Monday via Instagram, White’s decision to flip his commitment from Minnesota to the Cowboys sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, further solidifying OSU’s reputation as a recruiting juggernaut under second-year head coach David Taylor.

White is from Lawrence North High School in Indiana and has one of the most intriguing stories in wrestling. White is a late-blooming phenom who only started wrestling as a freshman. Yet, in just three years, he’s skyrocketed to elite status, showcasing a raw talent that has Taylor and his staff stacking the deck for the future.

Projected to compete at 197 pounds in Stillwater, White’s summer was nothing short of spectacular. He stormed through Fargo in July, finishing third at 190 pounds with a 7-1 record, including five technical falls. His performance at the U.S. Open’s U17 division was equally impressive, securing seventh place at 92 kg (203 pounds).

What makes White’s commitment so tantalizing is his untapped potential. Despite his short time in the sport, he’s already a two-time Indiana state tournament placer, finishing sixth at 175 pounds as a sophomore and second at 190 pounds as a junior. His rapid ascent, coupled with a relentless work ethic, makes him a perfect fit for Taylor’s vision of restoring Oklahoma State’s dominance. His raw, untapped talent is every coach's dream.

White joins an already loaded 2026 recruiting class that reads like a who’s-who of high school wrestling. The Cowboys boast four of the top six prospects on Flo’s Big Board: No. 2 Jax Forrest, No. 4 Dreshaun Ross, No. 5 Jordyn Raney, and No. 6 Jayden Raney. Add in No. 36 Kellen Wolbert and No. 100 Rocklin Zinkin, and it’s clear Taylor is building a dynasty. White’s addition only amplifies the hype, with fans on X posting about a future dynasty in the works.

As White prepares for his senior season on the mat, he’ll aim to capture an elusive Indiana state title. A final varsity victory will give him all the momentum he needs heading into his time for the orange and black.

For Cowboy faithful, the anticipation for the future is building. With White now in the fold, Oklahoma State’s 2026 class is shaping up as one of the most formidable in recent memory, setting the stage for a new era of dominance in Stillwater. The future is bright for David Taylor and the Pokes, and the Cowboys are ready to ride.


This article first appeared on Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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