Texas wide receiver Blake Webb commits to Oklahoma State
Blake Webb, a wide receiver from The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, became the latest Oklahoma State commitment Wednesday, Scout.com reported Thursday.
Webb, who is rated a two-star prospect, was offered a scholarship by OSU coach Mike Gundy Wednesday night and committed almost immediately, according to Scout.
Webb also had offers from Air Force, Boston College, Duke and Rice and was being recruited by Notre Dame and California, according to Scout.
Webb is likely to fill one of the inside receiver spots, a unit that loses Josh Cooper and Colton Chelf to graduation after this season.
Webb is the 14th commitment for the 2012 class, according to Scout, and the third wide receiver, joining C.J. Curry of Flowery Branch High School in Flowery Branch, Ga. and Kendall Sanders of Athens High School in Athens, Texas.
Defensive end Eric Davis switches commitment from Texas A&M to Oklahoma State
Tyler, Texas, defensive end Eric Davis switched his commitment from Texas A&M to Oklahoma State on Monday. PHOTO BY JAIME R. CARRERO, TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH
Three-star defensive end Eric Davis of Tyler, Texas, has switched his commitment from Texas A&M to Oklahoma State, Rivals.com reported Monday.
Davis, of John Tyler High School, committed to Texas A&M in February. He becomes the Cowboys’ third defensive end commit for the Class of 2012, joining Emmanual Ogbah (Richmond, Texas) and Victor Irokansi (Pflugerville, Texas).
Davis had 63 tackles, 12 sacks and three interceptions last season as a junior. This year, he has 10 tackles through three games.
Russell Okung helped Emmanuel Ogbah make his decision
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Russell Okung helped recent commit Emmanuel Ogbah make his decision. AP PHOTO
George Bush High School (Richmond, Texas) defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah got some advice from another Bush alum before making his decision to commit to Oklahoma State last week.
Ogbah told The Oklahoman he called former OSU offensive lineman and current Seattle Seahawk Russell Okung three days before making his college choice.
“He said it was a good school, and they’ll treat you real good,” Ogbah said. “He said it’s a great football program and that they have a good academic program, too.”
Ogbah, who said he plans to study business and marketing, said he has never been to Stillwater but plans to attend a game at some point this season.
“It’s hard right now with football season going on,” Ogbah said.
Barry J. Sanders at the Mississippi-BYU game
Heritage Hall running back Barry J. Sanders. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
Heritage Hall running back Barry J. Sanders, who has listed Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma State and Stanford as his top four college choices, is visiting Mississippi for the Rebels’ season opener against BYU, he confirmed to The Oklahoman in a text message.
It is an unofficial visit, according to Heritage Hall coach Andy Bogert.
Ole Miss is “not in the mix,” Bogert said in a text message. “Just for fun.”
The visit was first reported by Rivals.com.
Sanders, the top football recruit in Oklahoma, has said that he will announce his decision at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in early January.
Four-star safety LaDarrell McNeil chooses Tennessee over OSU
Four-star safety LaDarrell McNeil of Dallas committed to Tennessee Monday night, choosing the Volunteers over Oklahoma State, Rivals.com reported.
McNeil, from Wilmer-Hutchins High School, had been considering OSU, as well as Texas A&M, TCU and Michigan.
McNeil (6-foot-1 and 190 pounds) is ranked by Rivals as the 107th best player in the country.
The Pokes have become quite popular
Justin Blackmon has spent plenty of time on ESPN this summer
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Over the past few years, it would have been hard to be a college football fan in America and overlook the exploits of Oklahoma State.
Consecutive bowl appearances, several weeks in the national Top 10 and multiple individual award winners have helped the Cowboys make their mark on the national landscape.
The proof?
OSU has made 22 television appearances in the past two seasons as the Pokes have become an exciting option for television networks.
Schedule changes for the 2011 season are further proof of the national interest in the Cowboys. The Iowa State game was moved to Friday, Nov. 18 to become a featured game on ESPN while Bedlam was moved to Dec. 3 to become a featured game on Championship Saturday to give the Big 12 a footprint while other conferences hold their championship games.
Neither move would have occurred without the rise of the Pokes.
The added television time should pay off in the future for OSU — both athletically and academically — as each appearance acts as an free advertisement for the school.
“You probably couldn’t put a dollar value on it,” athletic director Mike Holder said. “It’s priceless. You couldn’t afford to buy the commercial time.”
But for Holder and OSU, television appearances are only a piece of the puzzle.
“The best advertisment we’ve got is to graduate our student athletes, play by the rules and be good sports and the last piece of the puzzle is winning,” Holder said. “But the winning part loses all significance if one of the other three is not there.”
Holder’s vision is not complete
Boone Pickens Stadium at night
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder has helped transform the Cowboy football program.
An upgraded Boone Pickens Stadium including the West End Zone facilities and the Sherman Smith Center will have the Pokes’ program in great position in the race to have top-level facilities.
Yet, Holder’s vision is not finished.
With the Cowboy golf, basketball (men’s and women’s) and football programs boasting first-class facilities, Holder is looking forward to taking steps towards seeing his dream of an athletic village at OSU.
There’s no timetable for the athletic village but it is clear Holder is committed to his goal of helping every OSU athlete on campus to succeed.
“There’s still a huge responsibility to continue the quest,” Holder said. “(We want) to do what we have for football, basketball and golf for all the athletes here.
“Everybody deserves the chance to make their dreams come true at the highest level.”
OSU’s original plan for an athletic village included a tennis facility, baseball stadium, indoor track and other athletic facilities.
Sharp has proven to be special
K/P Quinn Sharp is one of the nation's best
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
One of the main reasons for Oklahoma State’s recent rise has been quality evaluation on the recruiting trail. Running back Kendall Hunter, a two-time All-American, was a hidden gem out of Tyler, Texas and 2010 Biletnikoff Award winner Justin Blackmon was an overlooked prospect out of Plainview High School in Ardmore.
I decided to review recent OSU recruiting classes because it gives you a better feel for where the players you will see making plays on Saturdays this fall came from. And it makes it easier to understand recruiting is a full of unknowns so assuming an elite recruit will become an elite playmaker is fool’s gold, especially once you get past the players who are simply freaks of nature with sheer physical ability which is unmatched.
Here’s a look back at OSU’s recruiting Class of 2008 with a detailed look at each recruit, their ranking when they arrived on campus and their production or potential in the three years since joining the program.
Overall class rankings
Rivals ranking: #26
Scout ranking: #40
ESPN.com ranking: unranked. Given a C in overall grades in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, Texas A&M and Missouri.
Recruits
Jamal Mosley, tight end
Rivals ranking: 2 stars
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Other offers: Tennessee, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Southern Miss.
Impact on the program: Mosley was slated to replace NFL first round pick Brandon Pettigrew at tight end before off-the-field troubles derailed his time in Stillwater. He’s no longer a member of the program.
Analysis: A talented player who let off-the-field actions end his time at OSU, thus he looked like a gem early on but ended up being a risk not worth taking.
Nigel Nicholas, defensive tackle
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Other offers: Duke
Impact on the program: After a redshirt season, Nicholas played a role in the defensive tackle rotation in 2009. He was a solid backup again as a sophomore in 2010 and is slated to be the man in the middle for this year’s defense. He’s undersized but quick and active in the middle. He brings needed experience to the defensive tackle position for OSU this season.
Analysis: Although this season will be his first as a starter, Nicholas has been very productive for a guy who had only one other offer out of Rossville (Ga.) Ridgeland High School. A good job of evaluation by the Pokes.
Jermiah Price, defensive end
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Other offers: Louisville, South Florida, West Virginia, Southern Miss, UAB
Impact on the program: A juco transfer, Price was solid in two seasons with the Pokes. He had three sacks in 2008 to lead the team and added two sacks in 2009. He was one of the top pass rushers on the team during his time in an OSU uniform.
Analysis: Price did what he was supposed to do during his two seasons in Stillwater. He was in the defensive end rotation and provided experience while youngsters Ugo Chinasa and Richetti Jones got time to develop. A solid, but not outstanding, pickup.
Adrian Richards, receiver
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Other offers: Arizona, Baylor, Boise State, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Minnesota and others.
Impact on the program: At 6-foot-4, 187 pounds with good speed, Richards looked the part. But he never impacted the program due to his struggles catching the ball and getting comfortable in the offensive system. He’s no longer on the roster.
Analysis: With a unique size/speed ratio, Richards was probably a risk worth taking but he definitely didn’t pan out. Richards never really lived up to his potential..
Quinn Sharp, kicker/punter
Rivals ranking: 3 stars
Scout ranking: 3 stars
Other offers: None but interest from several Big 12 schools.
Impact on the program: One of the keys to OSU’s success in 2010 and 2009. His kickoffs into the end zone make things a lot easier on the defense. And his 46.24 yards per punt average is among the nation’s best.
Analysis: You cannot underrate the impact Quinn Sharp has on football games with his kickoffs and punts. And this season he could take over as OSU’s placekicker. A guy like Sharp is the perfect example why coach Mike Gundy does not hesitate to give scholarships to specialists. Giving Sharp a scholarship was a great decision that has paid major dividends during his two seasons on the field.
Could Lunt be the answer in 2012?
The Class of 2012 has found its signal caller.
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
It’s not hard to understand what intrigued Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken about Rochester (Ill.) quarterback Wes Lunt. The 6-foot-6, 185-pound prospect picked the Pokes over several other offers including Boston College and Michigan State. He’s likely to join the competition to become OSU’s starting quarterback in 2012.
He’s a tall, lanky quarterback prospect with the potential to grow.
And, maybe, most importantly, he’s a winner.
Lunt passed for 3,136 yards and 30 touchdowns in leading Rochester to a 14-0 record and Class 4A state title in Illinois last season. He completed 212 of 323 passes (65.6 percent) and threw just four interceptions in 2010.
CLICK HERE for highlights of Lunt in action.
When looking at the highlights of Lunt in action, you immediately notice his size and his athleticism (check out his throws while running to his left). He definitely appears to have the physical skills to succeed at OSU.
Like every quarterback, the key to Lunt’s success could be his ability to process things quickly, execute quickly and throw accurately while under pressure. All three things are hard to evaluate before a player arrives on campus but Pokes’ fans should be pleased to see Lunt commit because the potential is there.
Another positive for Lunt is his team’s 14-0 record and state title last season. For the second straight class, OSU appears poised to bring in a winner at quarterback (True freshman J.W. Walsh led his Denton Guyer squad deep into the Texas playoffs for three straight seasons).
As OSU continues to take steps towards building a program that competes for Big 12 championships every season, the more winners you can bring in at the quarterback position, the better.
Overall, Lunt appears to be a good pickup for OSU’s Class of 2012. There’s no reason he can’t join the battle to become OSU’s starting quarterback in 2012, especially if he’s able to adapt quickly to Big 12 football.
Freshmen jersey numbers
Cowboys enter BPS before their win over Texas A&M
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @BChatmon
Here’s a list of the jersey numbers for incoming freshman and newcomers at Oklahoma State.
#3 Isaac Maselera, S
#4 J.W. Walsh, QB
#6 David Glidden, WR
#7 Shamiel Gary, S (Transfer from Wyoming, eligible in 2012)
#9 Josh Stewart, WR
#15 Isaac McCoy, WR
#23 Herschel Sims, HB
#24 Miketavious Jones, CB
#26 Desmond Roland, HB
#27 Lyndell Johnson, LB
#32 Kris Catlin, LB
#36 Jonovan Griffin, CB
#37 Alex Elkins, LB
#41 Nico Ornelas, LB
#42 Demarcus Sherod, LB
#49 Matt Green, K
#52 Ryan Simmons, LB
#63 Mike Mustafa, DT
#65 Alex Villareal, DT
#66 Travis Cross, OL
#69 Devin Davis, OL
#80 Torrance Carr, WR
#91 James Castleman, DT
#92 Jimmy Bean, DE
#93 Maurice Hayes, DT
#95 Ashaad Mabry, DT
#96 Ryan Robinson, DE
