Millwood’s Henry still interested in OU
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
The recruitment of Trayvon Henry has been one of the most compelling recruitments in recent memory. The 6-2, 225-pounder from Millwood has tried to commit to BOTH Oklahoma and Oklahoma State this summer. Yet Henry remains uncommitted as July 4 approaches.
After previously stating that he wanted to wait until after his senior season before making a decision, Henry decided he wanted go ahead and make a final decision this summer. In mid-June, the senior-to-be decided he wanted to stay in-state.
Millwood linebacker Trayvon Henry
“I made my decision to stay in-state,” he said. “So, I called OSU and they didn’t answer. Then I talked to my coach (at Millwood) and he told me OSU had filled up because they had just taken a commitment from a linebacker a few days before.
“Then I called OU (to commit).”
And that’s where things got interesting. While they said they still want Henry, the Sooners were hesitant to accept Henry’s commitment because they weren’t happy with the progress he is making towards graduating.
“They’re still at the top (of my list),” Henry said. “I just have to get my ACT scores together. I’m about to enroll in summer school and then I’ll study hard for the ACT.”
Henry said he understands where OU is coming from and doesn’t hold the decision not to accept his commitment immediately against the Sooners.
“I understand where they’re coming from,” Henry said. “I was understanding (when they didn’t accept the commitment) because I knew what the situation was.”
While OU is definitely Henry’s leader, Texas Tech and Kansas are still in the mix to earn the signature of Millwood’s leading tackler in 2008.
“Kansas is probably No. 2 right now,” Henry said. “I have a really good relationship with their coach.”
Xavier Henry to UK? The possibility excites Daniel Orton
By Brandon Chatmon
Former Bishop McGuinness forward Daniel Orton is preparing to make a big impact during his freshman year at Kentucky. The 6-10, 260-pounder is in San Francisco working out with Frank Matrisciano, who has worked out former Oklahoma star and NBA No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin the past two summers.
With former Putnam City guard Xavier Henry rumored to be having second thoughts about attending Kansas, I talked with Orton on Tuesday night:
Brandon Chatmon: You feeling good about your workouts?
Daniel Orton:Yeah, I am for the most part. There are a lot of players out here. A lot of college players and a couple pro players like Hilton Armstrong.
BC: Have you talked to Xavier at all?
DO: Not about that. When we talk, we don’t talk about that. We talk about how things are going, video games and stuff.
BC: How would feel if he did decide to come play with you (at Kentucky)?
DO: That would be great. It would be real good, but it’s his decision, I’ll leave it up to him.
BC: Do you think Jodie Meeks staying in the NBA draft affects his decision?
DO: It might. I really don’t know though.
BC: When did you first hear he may be having second thoughts?
DO: A month. It’s been a while. I heard about it but I really didn’t believe it. When you hear that stuff, you really don’t think much of it.
BC: Have you been trying to recruit him at all?
DO: No. I’ve been in that situation before and I wouldn’t want someone to do that to me.
BC: So you’ll just sit back and if he comes, he comes, if he doesn’t, he doesn’t?
DO: That’s exactly how I’m going to play it out. Let him make his own decision.
Orton won’t play in Faith 7 game
By Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
As late as Thursday, former Bishop McGuinness forward Daniel Orton expected to come back to Oklahoma to play in the Faith 7 game at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee on June 6. But, at the request of the Kentucky coaching staff, the Kentucky signee won’t represent Oklahoma in the game.
“I’m a little disappointed,” Orton said. “But my coaches don’t want me to miss any school.”
Orton, who has been in Lexington and participating in summer school since May 13, was the headliner of a Oklahoma roster which includes Red Oak’s Lane Adams and Stringtown’s Tyrus McGee.
Local fans still have plenty of reasons to attend.
Oklahoma State signees Reger Dowell and Roger Franklin of Duncanville join Oklahoma signee Tommy Mason-Griffin of Houston Madison on the Team Texas roster.
Last year, OU’s Big 12 freshman of the Year Willie Warren sent a early message to college basketball fans with 41 points and a slam dunk contest victory at the Faith 7 game.
New name emerges
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
MADILL– A new name has emerged as a legit Division I football prospect in the state. Madill running back Darryl Fields has offers from Arkansas, Texas Tech, SMU and others.
He’s a big back at 6-2, 197-pounds who shows good quickness and is very tough to bring down. Fields shows the ability to break long runs and is a physical runner who finishes runs with power.
He is receiving interest from Oklahoma and Oklahoma State but I would be surprised if he gets an offer before Clinton’s Delans Griffin. Griffin is much more explosive, thus I consider Griffin to be the better college prospect.
My concern for Fields at the next level is that he runs so physically he could end up hampered by injuries during his college career.
But I do think he has the potential to be a key contributor on a quality BCS level team, especially if he finds a offense that fits him and is a part of “thunder and lightning”-type duo.
He’s a top-15 propect in this year’s class of Oklahoma recruits.
Is Xavier Henry bluegrass bound?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Having known Xavier Henry for four years, here’s my take on the Putnam City guard and his future:
1. The worst case scenario is not getting to play with C.J.
Everything was perfect two months ago, CJ was already at Memphis, Cal was there too and X had signed with the Tigers. Life was golden… Then Cal up and left for Kentucky, thus ruining everything.
Yet, guess who is still in X’s final two: Kentucky. Coach Calipari has built a great relationship with Xavier to the point he can throw his life into a pot full of uncertainity and still have the chance to land him.
2. Kansas is a great program but their style of play probably wouldn’t fix X. Too confining, too structured. There are some people who are convinced he wants to go to Kansas. I’m not one of them.
If Cal plays the same way he did at Memphis, Kentucky would be ideal. If X wants to be one and done, that’s the place to go.
3. If Jodie Meeks remains in the draft, I really think Kentucky is the place for X. And even if he doesn’t, I still think it’s a good fit. Simply put, Chad Ford is talking about X being a top 10 pick in the 2010 draft. If that’s the case, nobody’s going to keep him off the floor.
4. When he visits Kentucky, it may be all over.
Game. Set. Match.
Based on what I’ve heard from Daniel Orton and those around him, the Kentucky program, fans and tradition is an unreal experience. When Xavier gets down there to experience the Kentucky program and fans and all that entails first hand, he may just say, “Oh, so this is why Coach left Memphis…”
So there it is, I think Kentucky is the right place for Xavier Henry.
Now it’s just a matter of getting C.J. there too!
Daniel Orton has not asked for his release, yet…
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
After Demarcus Cousins announced his intentions to follow John Calipari to Kentucky, rumors began swirling that Daniel Orton had asked out of his release. I just talked to Daniel’s father Larry Orton and he said that the rumors aren’t true.
“That’s not true,” Larry said. “Daniel’s not even thinking about that. He’s focusing on getting ready (for the Sports Derby Classic and Jordan All-American game).”
The 6-10, 260-pounder played in Bishop McGuinness’ final three games this season after missing much of his senior year due to knee surgery.
Daniel Orton: Still bluegrass bound?
Coach Cal in OKC?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
With John Calipari likely becoming the new head coach at Kentucky, Larry Orton, the father of Bishop McGuinness forward Daniel Orton said he wouldn’t know what if Daniel will attend Kentucky or ask to be released from his letter of intent to the SEC school, which he signed last fall.
“We won’t know until we talk to Calipari,” Larry said.
That talk may come quicker than people think.
Calipari reportedly could be in Oklahoma City on Wednesday. When asked about Calipari’s proposed visit, Orton said: “I don’t know (if he’s still coming) now. Maybe he’s coming to see Xavier (Henry) but he’s out of town (at the McDonald’s All-American game in Miami) so maybe he’s coming to see Carl Henry… I don’t know.”
Translation: Calipari was supposed to be in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, but may not be coming now. Xavier Henry is in Miami for the McDonald’s All-American game, thus why was he coming???
Daniel Orton. Either he was/is coming to make a late push at Daniel for Memphis or to solidify him for Kentucky… All I know is he wasn’t coming to see Xavier because he’s not in town, maybe he was coming to see Carl but I doubt it.
Sometimes two plus two equals four.
If Calipari officially becomes the head coach at Kentucky in the next 24 hours, don’t be surprised if he’s at Bishop McGuinness High School shortly thereafter.
Barnett has talent… why no offers from OU or OSU?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Tulsa Washington defensive tackle Calvin Barnett is a talented player. He has a great combination of strength and athleticism. He’s the type of player that can stack up the middle of the line and be a disruptive force on the line. Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Texas Tech are among the teams who have offered Barnett.
Yet, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have yet to offer the 6-3, 292-pounder. He is receiving interest from the Sooners and Cowboys however and looking at his film, I’d say it’s probably just a matter of time.
Barnett shows good quickness, especially for someone who plays with the strength and leverage he does. He’s athletic and rarely gets knocked off his feet.
He doesn’t get pushed off the ball and he can be a disruptive force in the opponent’s backfield.
The lone negative I see is the fact he plays a bit high and he’s not as explosive off the ball as Gerald McCoy was in high school or even Tulsa East Central’s Pearlie Graves.
But he’s definitely a talent who could have a big impact on a elite BCS level team.
Terrence Boyd verbals to Western Kentucky
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Rivals is reporting that former Norman basketball standout Terrence Boyd has committed to Western Kentucky. Boyd, a four-star recruit who claimed offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UConn, Kentucky, Marquette and others committed to the Hilltoppers in part due to his relationship with former Oklahoma City University coach Ray Harper.
Boyd moved to San Diego in hopes he could be cleared to play in California but never got eligible so he missed his junior and senior years of high school basketball.
It just proves how little high school basketball matters these days in terms of getting recruited. Boyd joined Xavier Henry and Daniel Orton, two top 25 players nationally, on Athletes First and thus got seen by enough college coaches that it didn’t matter if he played high school ball or not.
Another interesting tidbit is Boyd’s relationship with Harper. Harper left OCU after leading the Stars to two NAIA titles to join the staff at Western Kentucky and I remember thinking it was unusual to hear T-Boyd mentioning WKU among his leaders around that time. It just goes to show you how important relationships between coaches and players are in the final choice of college.
The next great recruit at Carl Albert?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Carl Albert defensive back Tre’Vante Porter has been a impact defender for the Titans since his sophomore season.
A quick look at his film shows a big frame with excellent hitting ability and athleticism. He has great balance and understands leverage and how to use it to his advantage. Porter’s superb ball skills have allowed him to rank among Carl Albert’s top defenders with 94 tackles and four interceptions.
However, I’m not sure if he can play the corner position at the next level. He seems a tad stiff and I’m not sure he has the hips to be a great cover corner. He does have excellent quickness and acceleration which makes him the perfect prospect to play safety.
Porter is a talented player who could develop into a very good safety at the next level. He has the size and athletic ability to become a solid starter for a BCS level school. If he came improve his explosiveness and speed heading into his college career, he can go from an solid player to elite prospect.
Here’s Porter in action:
