Travis Ford Talks Recruits
By John Helsley
Back from a spin through the ESPN “Car Wash,” the hip term attached to a full day’s run through the many studio’s — TV and radio — Travis Ford finally had a chance to talk about his latest recruiting class.
The newest Cowboys: 6-foot-9 power forward Michael Cobbins of Amarillo’s Palo Duro High School; 6-4 shooting guard Markel Brown of Peabody Magnet High in Alexandria, La.; 6-4 shooting guard Brian Williams of Glen Oaks High in Baton Rouge, La.; and 6-6 small forward J.P. Olukemi of Vincennes University Junior College.
It’s a group gaining steam as a consensus top-20 recruiting class, ranked as the best in the Big 12 and No. 10 nationally according to HoopScoop.com, and the top class in the league and ranked 18th nationally by Scout.com.
A closer look:
Brown is a four-star recruit, ranked as the No. 24 shooting guard in the country by Scout.com. He averaged 28.5 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocked shots per game as a junior last season.
Also recruited by LSU, Marquette, Michigan, USC and Texas A&M, Brown was a first-team Class 4A All-State selection and was named the Most Valuable Player for District 3-4A. He was also named the All-Cenla MVP in 2009, voted on by local sports writers and consists of all the central Louisiana schools. He also started on the team his sophomore year as the Warhorses went 38-1.
“Markel is a kid I went and saw play and the first five minutes I watched him play I said, ‘that’s our guy’,” Ford said. “He plays for a big-time high school program. He can play the point, the two and also the three. He’s arguably one of the most athletic guys we’ve recruited.
“He’s just like a grasshopper. He can shoot it and has a great in-between game. He will fit into our system well. He can shoot it, which we need because we could be losing our two best shooters next year in James (Anderson) and Obi (Muonelo). He’s very quiet, but I think he will be a fan favorite.”
Cobbins is a consensus four-star and top-50 recruit, ranked as high as 38th nationally by Rivals.com. Scout.com lists him as the 12th-best power forward in the country.
As a junior last season, he averaged 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, leading the Dons to the Region I-4A finals. Also recruited by Memphis, Oklahoma, Missouri and Georgia Tech, he was also named the Player of the Year of the 5A-4A Golden Spread Super Team by the Amarillo Globe-News.
“Michael is someone we’re very excited about,” said Ford. “He’s a very versatile player and before he got hurt, was having a top-10 player-of-the-year season. He came to our elite camp and we fell in love with him.
“He plays a lot of different positions. He has recovered from his injury and is 100 percent, so I’m anxious to see him. He has a great attitude and is a player who has just gotten better and better. He’s very versatile and very long. We don’t really have anybody like him on our team that’s his size with the skills that he has.”
Olukemi could be a vital cog next season, when James Anderson and Obi Muonelo have moved on. The 6-7, 215-pound forward played during the 2008-09 season at Vincennes University in Indiana. He averaged 14.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor.
Olukemi is a consensus three-star player, and was ranked as the top junior college recruit this season by Midwest Scouting Service. He is sitting out the 2009-10 season and will have three years of eligibility remaining once next season begins.
“Many publications have JP rated as the No. 1 junior college player in the country,” said Ford. “We targeted him right away. He’s special in that he has three years to play. He has a great attitude and a great presence about him as a person. He has a big, strong basketball body and is someone who will step in and play right away. He’ll bring size to our team.”
Williams is a consensus three-star recruit, and ranked as high as the No. 26 shooting guard in the country by Scout.com. He was also recruited by LSU, Oregon State and Baylor.
Williams averaged 25.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.1 blocked shots and 3.5 assists per game as a junior last season, pacing Glen Oaks to a No. 1 ranking in Class 4A. He was named Class 4A’s Outstanding Player by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, and one of two juniors — joining Brown — named first-team All-State for Class 4A. He was also named the District 6-4A Most Valuable Player.
“Brian’s game is a lot like Obi’s,” Ford said. “He’s 6-4 to 6-5 and much more athletic. He can jump over the rim. He averaged 30 points a game last year in high school. He can step out and shoot it, he’s very athletic and has a great in-between game.”
Worth Watching: Who’s at QB
Perrish Cox Will Be Watching Who Starts At QB for Tech
By John Helsley
Texas Tech has quarterback issues.
Like, who will start?
And who’s available?
And who’s best?
While much of the talk this week will center around OSU’s ability to slow the Red Raiders — something the Cowboys have long struggled to accomplish, as our man Brandon Chatmon addressed this morning in The Oklahoman — the difficulty of the job could be tied to who stands behind center on Saturday.
Could be Taylor Potts, the early season starter.
Could be Seth Doege, the freshman who replaced Potts a few weeks back.
Could be Steven Sheffield, the surprising former walk-on who has played the best, yet is trying to return from Oct. 18 foot surgery.
And it could be Saturday at 7 p.m. before we know which of the three it will be.
Here’s what Leach said Monday, when it was revealed Sheffield would give it a go this week at practice:
“We’ll see how it comes. It always is good to have more options. The more the merrier.”
Cowboys coaches say they’re preparing for anybody and everybody. And that it doesn’t matter in Tech’s system.
But for a change, it does matter. Check out the numbers.
Potts 67.2 completion percentage, 2,221 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTs
Sheffield 74.5 percentage, 1,014 yards, 12 TDs, 2 INTs
Doege 62.3 percentage, 369 yards, 2 TDS, 0 INTs
More to consider, Tech’s record when each starts:
Potts 3-3 (W – North Dakota, Rice, New Mexico; L – Texas, Houston, A&M)
Sheffield 2-0 (Kansas State, Nebraska)
Doege 1-0 (Potts actually relieved and sparked the win over Kansas)
Sheffield seems to bring something special to the Raiders, including a toughness that teammates can feed from. And all indications are that he gives them the best chance to win.
But will his foot allow him to return so soon after surgery?
“I know Sheffield,” Tech wide receiver Alex Torres told reporters Monday, “his leg is still tentative. I don’t know exactly the whole injury situation and what’s the deal with that, but right now I’m not too sure what (the QB spot is) going to look like.”
Most likely, we can rule out Doege. The Pickens Palace is no place for a freshman who has been inconsistent and had to be replaced in his only career start.
Assuming that, it comes down to Sheffield’s tolerance for pain, as he’d likely be Leach’s Option A, considering Potts’ so-far shaky season, which includes an ugly scene in which he was booed off the field — at home — against A&M.
Stay tuned, although Leach isn’t likely to leak news. This is a major development in a game that could all but lock in the Cowboys for no less than the Cotton Bowl.
Hoops Update: Injuries
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
OSU will be without Teeng Akol and Nick Sidorakis for a while.
Injuries suffered in recent practices will sideline Akol and Sidorkis for a month or more. And while neither played a major role a year ago, each had been drawing raves from Cowboys coach Travis Ford for their play in the preseason.
Both players were considered key reserves by Ford, who may now be forced to get freshmen ready to take on larger roles.
Akol, a 6-11 center, has a fracture in his right hand is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Sidorkis, a 6-4 guard, won’t need surgery to repair a patela tendon injury to his right knee, but will be out 6-8 weeks.
Cowboy Hoops Adds Walk-Ons
By John Helsley
jhelsley@opubco.com
The number of available practice bodies had already increased at OSU, with seven newcomers beefing up the roster — a needed boost from a year ago.
Add two more players to the mix, with Travis Ford taking advantage of his walk-on tryout program for the second straight year.
In a near act of desperation a year ago, with his roster depleted, Ford pulled four walk-ons from a workout to help with practice and suit up on game days. One of the four, Edmond Memorial product Garrett Thomas, remains with the squad.
While not as needy this year, Ford still felt adding players could be a benefit to preparation. And with recent injuries to Teeng Akol and Nick Sidorakis, he’s surely pleased to have them.
So, on to the introductions:
From Broken Arrow High and Oklahoma City University, a 6-6 forward… Steven Cantrell!
And from Perkins, a 6-foot guard… Lee Ledford!
Cantrell actually played a bit part in OCU’s national title run in 2008, averaging 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds for a team that finished 31-7. He appeared in 20 games and started five, before leaving for regular-student status at OSU a year ago. Now he’s back.
Ledford, in his third year at OSU, averaged 15 points and seven rebounds as a prep senior.
Don’t expect to see much of Cantrell or Ledford, unless games get way out of hand. Still, they’re valuable additions to the daily grind of practices. Ford wouldn’t have them around if they didn’t offer something.
And there’s always the possible payoff, a moment in Gallagher-Iba Arena when the student section chants their names.
Or even better, a trip to the NCAA Tournament and memories of March Madness.
Cox Gaining Notice
By John Helsley
We’ve witnessed the growth of Perrish Cox.
The outside world is catching on, too.
Cox has elevated himself from great return man to great defender as a senior, putting in the work necessary to be considered one of the best in the college game.
And that’s exactly the view, with Cox making the semifinalist cut for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive back and an award generated right here in Oklahoma City.
A first-team midseason All-American by SI.com, Cox leads the nation with 1.86 passes defended per game. And he’s defended some of the best, winning matchups with Georgia’s A.J. Green and Texas’ Jordan Shipley.
It’s what we expected of Cox when the Cowboys landed a much-hyped recruit out of Waco four years ago. There were thrills, for sure, but mostly in the return game, where he’s simply electric every time he touches the ball.
As a defender, however, Cox was always viewed as a great athlete playing corner.
Not anymore.
Credit the kid for a realizing he had to grow up. On the field and off the field. In the video room and in the weight room. Away from the parties and the other distractions of college life.
He’s a lesson that it’s never too late to reach for your potential. And it’s paying off. And will continue to pay off.
According to a report in the Tuesday edition of Sporting News Today, Cox is “winning over doubters who had questions about his character. He is making big plays in ‘09 and making good impressions off the field. He could rocket up draft boards if the background checks continue to come in clean and he makes a good impression in formal interviews with G.M.s, coaches and personnel men this spring. He came into the season as a late-round gamble and ultimately could go in the third round.”
Cox denies A.J. Green
Talking Kendall Hunter, James Anderson and Andrea Riley
By John Helsley
Remember Kendall Hunter?
Reigning Big 12 rushing champ.
One-third of the Triplets.
Potential Heisman candidate.
Seems so long ago, doesn’t it?
Well, maybe it’s time for a Hunter resurfacing. We haven’t seen – or heard – from “Spud” since he left the Houston loss with an ankle injury that went from sprain to fracture in the rumor mill that serves as the OSU injury report.
On Monday, Mike Gundy essentially called out Hunter subtly, saying team doctors had ruled him healthy, it was just up to Hunter to decide he could go.
Well, Hunter is on the trip to Waco and will be suited up for Baylor. Will he play? How much will he play? Only Spud knows for sure, but ideally he shakes off the rust, suffers no relapse and returns in full for what looms as a major showdown with Texas next week.
Hunter may return against Baylor.
The OSU basketball program isn’t putting on any fronts when it comes to James Anderson.
If he stays healthy and has another strong season – as expected – he’s off to the NBA after this, his junior season.
So enjoy him, Cowboys fans, and by all indications, he’ll be a joy to watch.
Check out this from Travis Ford:
“He has had some of the most ridiculous dunks. You won’t believe the energy level and peppiness he is playing with. He dunked over Teeng (Akol) the other day. It’s something I don’t know if he had ever tried and I don’t know if he could even could have done it, and he he caught a rebound and dunked it from outside the paint, just dunked over two guys. It’s just the step you hoped he would take. It’s early and you hope it continues. I don’t hype it up too much because we’ve got a long ways to go.”
Anderson is bigger and stronger and noticeably more comfortable, almost chatty by his standards.
The good news is there won’t be a need for regular questions about his future, whether he’s staying or going, even though we’d all know he’s going. That part is out of the way.
So enjoy, while you can.
On the women’s hoops front, the Cowgirls face their final season with Andrea Riley.
Her career is a mixed bag, as she’s been at the trigger of some of the program’s great recent moments, but also some embarrassments, which is why her one-game NCAA Tournament suspension still hangs over the squad and its chances to do much in March.
Still, Riley has a chance to improve her legacy, if not by leading these Cowgirls to great things, then by bridging things for a promising young core of players who figure to brighten OSU’s long-term future.
Riley is always worth watching.
This season, there’s plenty of reasons to pay close attention.
No Coulda Been, Garth IS A Cowboy.. 4ever?
By John Helsley
So Cowboys 4ever carried a shelf life far shorter than, well, ever.
Mike Holder, once firmly committed to John Martin’s 4ever tune, has pulled a 180, making a change tonight for the homecoming game against Mizzou.
Holder says he listened to our students in making the switch.
Is it time for a former student to be heard?
Garth Brooks is returning tonight for homecoming and to be inducted into the Alumni Association Hall of Fame. We’ve heard that he’s been back in recent weeks, too, chatting with marketing folks at OSU.
He’s back in the business of making music as well, at 47 ending his too-soon retirement for a comeback.
Might it begin tonight inside Boone Pickens Stadium? Call it a hunch, but here’s guessing that Brooks has penned the next Cowboys theme.
All the stars are aligning here. Homecoming. Hall of Fame. His comeback.
And now Holder’s sudden reversal on the 4ever theme, which would only seem appropriate if he had something much better.
Enter Brooks.
For years, Toby Keith’s “Shoulda Been A Cowboy” has blared from the speakers at BPS/Lewis Field. While the words rang true with OSU fans, there’s been a bit of disdain, too, considering Keith’s strong allegiance to crimson.
So it makes sense that OSU’s own Country Star carry the tune for Cowboys fans.
Another bit to consider. We also hear that Brooks may be even more heavily involved with the program, perhaps financially. Stay tuned for those possibilities.
Tune in tonight.
Live from Kyle Field…
By John Helsley
Just caught Mike Gundy on the pre-game broadcast with Dave Hunziker.
Gundy addressed the Dez Bryant situation and the affect it could have on the Cowboys today.
“Been an interesting week, to say the least,” Gundy said. “As a coaching staff, especially being the head coach, the weight falls on my shoulders to make sure the team is in great spirits.”
Gundy acknowledged the initial shock.
“There was a state of shock at a certain time,” he said. “A player who’s been involved with our organization, Dez is a unique personality, but he’s a good kid at heart.
“People have always grown accustomed to liking him. Same with the team.”
Now he’s gone, at least temporarily.
“When we found out this fell on him, there was the state of shock,” Gundy said. “But we had a team meeting and were very up front with the players. We told them the truth. Mistakes were made.
“We’re in a reinstatement phase for the team and with Dez Bryant. I think it’s important people realize we have done everything we can and should do. Our football team has practiced very well the last couple of days.
“Offensively, the question comes up all the time, ‘How are you going to score points?’
“We’re going to run our offense.”
And we’re minutes away from finding out how well the offense runs without Bryant.
Helsley’s Back and Forth: Down Time
By John Helsley
Looking back and forth at key items in Cowboys sports:
Rewind
1) Grand Introductions. With Kendall Hunter, Dez Bryant, Perrish Cox and Jermiah Price on the sidelines in jean shorts Saturday night, we wondered where the fizz would come from in a game against Grambling. We found it in unexpected places. Wideout Dameron Fooks and tailback Jeremy Smith were superb. And while we consider the competition, we also like what we saw in two potential playmakers going forward.
2) The DL. College football doesn’t use a DL – disabled list – yet the aforementioned injured players were clearly on the shelf last week. And question remains about their availability when Big 12 Conference play opens next weekend. The Cowboys have come a long way in adding depth, but Bryant, Cox and Hunter represent three of the team’s core players. They’ll be needed at Texas A&M.
3) Backup Plan. Most of us wanted a look at OSU’s backup quarterbacks, Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden. We saw both, although in a mixed bag. Cate suffered a head injury on his first play and didn’t return. Weeden stepped in and played well, throwing his first career touchdown passes. In doing so, he climbed into the No. 2 quarterback role after a tightly contested battle for the job that spanned the spring and preseason.
4) High Stepping. The Grambling band proved as good as advertised, delivering their brand of flair to the halftime festivities. The band had some fun, playing and dancing through a Michael Jackson tribute that featured “Thriller.” Felt sorry for the OSU band, which had to follow the Grambling outfit onto the field.
5) Crowd Count. OSU didn’t get the sellout it was seeking, but the crowd of 59,000-plus still made for a record attendance in Stillwater. Next in the sellout crosshairs: Texas on Halloween. Isn’t that a spooky thought?
Forward
1) Down Time. This is my ninth season overall as a beat writer on Cowboys football. In all those years, I can’t recall a team that needed an open week as much as these Pokes. Not only are they battling the injuries to missing stars, there are several Cowboys who have been playing banged and bruised.
2) A&M-Arkansas. When the Aggies and Hogs collide in Jerry Jones’ new stadium, it will provide a revealing look at A&M. In a second season rebuild job under coach Mike Sherman, the Aggies are 3-0, yet have played nothing but cream puffs — New Mexico, Utah State and UAB. Arkansas, 1-2, isn’t great, yet represents a major upgrade over those other slackers. We’ll soon know whether the Aggies are imposing or imposters with OSU due in College Station.
3) Safety First. Cardinals coaches have raved about their two-deep at safety, with Lucien Antoine, Victor Johnson, Johnny Thomas and Markelle Martin giving the Cowboys their best collection of talent at the spots in recent memory. So far, due to injuries and suspensions, we haven’t seen much of them in the same game. With them all in play, the Pokes will be better on defense.
4) Uncommon Road. The game at A&M is OSU’s first away from the Pickens Palace this season. Kyle Field is not a comforting place to play, so it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys respond.
5) Zac Looks Back. OSU’s last trip to Kyle Field didn’t go so well for Zac Robinson, who was early in his role as the Cowboys’ starting QB. Robinson led OSU to an early lead, then was lost to a concussion and the Aggies rallied to win with him out. Still, he considers College Station one of his favorite places to play.
Six Former Pokes Open NBA Camp
By John Helsley, Staff Writer
NBA training camps are opening everywhere, some with an Oklahoma State flair.
Former Cowboys show up on the rosters of six NBA teams, with practices due to begin today.
Tony Allen maintains stability, starting his sixth season with the Boston Celtics. But for four other former Pokes, new teams offer new beginnings.
Joey Graham, who spent the past four seasons with the Toronto Raptors, moves to the Denver Nuggets.
Stephen Graham, Joey’s twin, signed on Monday with the Charlotte Bobcats – his sixth NBA team.
Desmond Mason, who spent last season locally with the Thunder, went West with a one-year deal to play with Sacramento.
David Monds, who finished at OSU in 2007 and spent last season in the NBA Developmental League, is trying to make it with the world champion Los Angeles Lakers.
And John Lucas, who played in 60 games for the Houston Rockets over two seasons from 2005-07, is trying to make it with the Miami Heat.
Allen, who has battled injuries throughout his career, is questionable for the preseason as he continues recovery from June 3 ankle surgery to repair a torn tendon.
Graham waited five months to hook on with a new team, then hustled in to join the Nuggets’ first practice. Denver is hoping he fills offense lost when Linas Kleiza signed with Olympiakos and defense lost when Dahntay Jones signed with the Pacers, according to the Denver Post.
“I like covering guys like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James,” Graham told the Post. “I’m a rough-neck guy, a blue-collar guy.”
