BYU football received a key transfer portal addition to its defensive interior with Oklahoma State transfer defensive tackle Justin Kirkland announcing his decision on social media.

Kirkland is a 6-foot-3, 345 pounder from Roy, Utah who has played 26 games for the Cowboys and recorded 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack last season. Kirkland played at Utah Tech for a season before transferring to Oklahoma State and now to BYU for his final season of eligibility.

With the graduation of both John Nelson and Blake Mangelson from a season ago, along with the transfer of Joshua Singh to Vanderbilt, BYU needed to beef up its interior. The transfer of Utah standout Keanu Tanuvasa helped tremendously, sure, but more help was needed and the hope is the mammoth Oklahoma State can work to fit the bill.

Defensive tackle is a physically demanding position that requires a constant rotation of as many as six players in BYU Defensive Coordinator Jay Hill’s base 4-3 alignment. Kirkland will likely slot into that rotation and join Tanuvasa (6-4, 300 Jr.), Luke To’omalatai (6-2, 315 Sr.), John Taumoepeau (6-2, 300 Sr.), Sani Tuala (6-5, 290 So.) and Anisi Purcell (6-3, 300 Jr.) in providing a hoped-for solid defensive base.

Kirkland is good friends with and a former high school teammate of BYU receiver Parker Kingston and served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Hawaii.