JimBob
02-06-2008, 07:18 AM
Cowboys expected to land top recruit from Waco
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
2/6/2008
Last Modified: 2/6/2008 4:08 AM
The most high-profile member of Oklahoma State's 2006 football recruiting class class was Perrish Cox, a defensive back / return specialist from University High School in Waco, Texas.
Cox had expressed a commitment to LSU, but OSU remained consistent with its recruiting effort. On signing day, Cox reconsidered and signed with the Cowboys. Seven months later, on the opening kickoff of the season opener, he scored on a 96-yard return against Missouri State.
OSU assistant Doug Meacham got the credit for recruiting and signing Cox, and Meacham is on the brink of a similar triumph.
On Wednesday, the first day on which recruits may sign national letters of intent, it is expected that Oklahoma State will sign Waco High School safety Victor Johnson, rated by Rivals.com as a four-star national prospect and the No. 1 safety prospect in the state of Texas.
The 6-foot, 170-pound Johnson was offered scholarships also by Oklahoma, Nebraska, Miami (Fla.), Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas and Houston. Johnson announced his OSU commitment on Jan. 23 -- five days after his official visit to OU.
"Oklahoma State started on Victor early and stayed consistent," Waco High coach Johnny Tusa said. "Oklahoma State never wavered. They have an excellent recruiter (Meacham) who works in this area. He's a consummate recruiter -- always on top of things.
"If Victor progresses in college as he did in high school, you have to think he could be one of the best safeties in the nation."
As of Tuesday, 27 recruits had announced commitments to OSU. The Cowboys can sign as many as 28 players. Among the current committed players are 14 defenders -- eight from the high school ranks and six who are junior college transfers.
As of Tuesday, the OSU class was ranked No. 25 nationally by Rivals.com. Since Mike Gundy became the Cowboy coach, OSU's recruiting classes were ranked No. 42 (2005), No. 22 (2006) and 30th (2007).
Most prominent among the junior college newcomers is 330-pound defensive tackle Swanson Miller, who enrolled during the semester break and will participate in spring drills. A lack of line depth was a glaring factor in OSU's 2007 national ranking of No. 101 in total defense.
Johnson is one of six Cowboy recruits who have a four-star national rating. The others are junior college transfers Beau Johnson (tailback) and Maurice Gray (defensive back), along with defensive back Markelle Martin of Wichita Falls, Texas; and Kye Staley of Guthrie.
A quarterback in high school, Staley is expected to play tailback at Oklahoma State -- if he actually signs with Oklahoma State. He committed to the Cowboys months ago, but recently visited Arkansas and says he will announce at 9 a.m. Wednesday whether he is headed to Stillwater or Fayetteville.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
2/6/2008
Last Modified: 2/6/2008 4:08 AM
The most high-profile member of Oklahoma State's 2006 football recruiting class class was Perrish Cox, a defensive back / return specialist from University High School in Waco, Texas.
Cox had expressed a commitment to LSU, but OSU remained consistent with its recruiting effort. On signing day, Cox reconsidered and signed with the Cowboys. Seven months later, on the opening kickoff of the season opener, he scored on a 96-yard return against Missouri State.
OSU assistant Doug Meacham got the credit for recruiting and signing Cox, and Meacham is on the brink of a similar triumph.
On Wednesday, the first day on which recruits may sign national letters of intent, it is expected that Oklahoma State will sign Waco High School safety Victor Johnson, rated by Rivals.com as a four-star national prospect and the No. 1 safety prospect in the state of Texas.
The 6-foot, 170-pound Johnson was offered scholarships also by Oklahoma, Nebraska, Miami (Fla.), Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas and Houston. Johnson announced his OSU commitment on Jan. 23 -- five days after his official visit to OU.
"Oklahoma State started on Victor early and stayed consistent," Waco High coach Johnny Tusa said. "Oklahoma State never wavered. They have an excellent recruiter (Meacham) who works in this area. He's a consummate recruiter -- always on top of things.
"If Victor progresses in college as he did in high school, you have to think he could be one of the best safeties in the nation."
As of Tuesday, 27 recruits had announced commitments to OSU. The Cowboys can sign as many as 28 players. Among the current committed players are 14 defenders -- eight from the high school ranks and six who are junior college transfers.
As of Tuesday, the OSU class was ranked No. 25 nationally by Rivals.com. Since Mike Gundy became the Cowboy coach, OSU's recruiting classes were ranked No. 42 (2005), No. 22 (2006) and 30th (2007).
Most prominent among the junior college newcomers is 330-pound defensive tackle Swanson Miller, who enrolled during the semester break and will participate in spring drills. A lack of line depth was a glaring factor in OSU's 2007 national ranking of No. 101 in total defense.
Johnson is one of six Cowboy recruits who have a four-star national rating. The others are junior college transfers Beau Johnson (tailback) and Maurice Gray (defensive back), along with defensive back Markelle Martin of Wichita Falls, Texas; and Kye Staley of Guthrie.
A quarterback in high school, Staley is expected to play tailback at Oklahoma State -- if he actually signs with Oklahoma State. He committed to the Cowboys months ago, but recently visited Arkansas and says he will announce at 9 a.m. Wednesday whether he is headed to Stillwater or Fayetteville.