Kollin Lewis Earned Starting Role Against UCF
Oklahoma State shifted its cornerback lineup after Kollin Lewis recorded 56 snaps in the recent 42-28 victory.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Football
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Oklahoma State shuffled its defensive secondary by promoting Kollin Lewis to starting right cornerback following a decisive 42-28 win over UCF. The coaching staff moved LaDainian Fields to left cornerback, removing Mo Horn from the starting lineup to solidify the unit.
Why it matters
The change reflects the coaching staff's response to performance metrics, as Kollin Lewis earned his spot through improved defensive grades while Mo Horn struggled in recent coverage. This adjustment aims to bolster Stillwater's pass defense by placing the higher-performing athlete in a key starting role.
Kollin Lewis logged 56 snaps against UCF and has allowed five catches on 12 targets this season. Conversely, Mo Horn allowed 10 catches on 13 targets during his time on the field.
The players
Kollin Lewis
He is an Oklahoma State cornerback who secured a starting position following a 72.2 defensive grade against UCF.
Mo Horn
He is a defensive player for Oklahoma State who was removed from the starting lineup after allowing 10 catches on 13 targets.
LaDainian Fields
He is an Oklahoma State cornerback who was shifted to the left side to facilitate the new starting lineup.
The details
Coaches moved LaDainian Fields to left cornerback to accommodate the shift that saw Kollin Lewis increase his workload from 24 snaps in the season opener to 56 against UCF. The decision followed the UCF game where Lewis secured a 72.2 defensive grade compared to the 44.3 grade recorded by Mo Horn.
Timeline
August/September 2026: Oklahoma State played Tulsa in the season opener.
October 10, 2026: Oklahoma State defeated UCF.
Season Trajectory
The coaching staff is leveraging data from the Pro Football Focus defensive grading system to optimize the Oklahoma State secondary for the remainder of the season. This shift marks a departure from the initial roster setup as the team attempts to improve defensive efficiency and stabilize the cornerback rotation.
Kollin Lewis is expected to retain his starting position at right cornerback for future games. The removal of Mo Horn from the starting lineup signals a shift in rotation depth that may affect defensive coverage assignments and personnel packages moving forward.
The takeaway
Coaches are increasingly using objective performance data to dictate personnel decisions in the secondary. Fans should monitor snap counts as the primary indicator for which defensive backs have earned the trust of the coaching staff.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's defensive secondary, visit the Stillwater Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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