JimBob
02-07-2008, 07:22 AM
Guthrie's Staley picks OSU over Arkansas
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
2/7/2008
He was quarterback of the 5A Bluejays, but is expected to play tailback.
GUTHRIE -- After insisting for two weeks that he was equally interested in Oklahoma State and Arkansas, Guthrie's Kye Staley signed a national letter of intent with the Cowboys on Wednesday.
"I've known since Sunday," Staley said during a signing ceremony at Guthrie High School. "That's why I came out with an Oklahoma State hat. I don't want any mystery. I knew where I was wanting to go."
One of six Cowboy recruits who is rated by Rivals.com as national four-star prospects, the 6-foot, 215-pound Staley quarterbacked Guthrie to the 2007 Class 5A championship. At OSU, he is expected to play the tailback position.
"We're very excited about him," Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said. "He's going to be a big back. I can see him being 225 (pounds) after he burns off a little fat and gets with (strength coach Rob Glass) for a couple of years."
A versatile player, Staley last season rushed for 1,380 yards and 28 touchdowns, passed for 625 yards and had 10 receptions for 320 yards. While OSU and Arkansas recruited him as a ballcarrier, Texas Tech recruited him to catch passes. Tech envisioned him as a slot receiver.
"Kye's biggest asset is his strength," Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins said. "Physically, he doesn't have as far to go as a lot of freshmen coming in. And the thing is, he doesn't turn 18 until the middle of August. He's young, but I think he'll get a good shot at tailback.
"I also think Kye could be an unbelievable strong safety. When you're a great athlete, you can do several dif ferent things. But his love is running back, and hopefully he'll make the best of it."
Staley also was offered scholarships by Kansas State, Michigan, Nebraska and Tennessee. He had committed to Oklahoma State in August, but visited Arkansas two weeks ago.
"I was intrigued when I heard that (Arkansas juniors) Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were leaving for the NFL," Staley said. "That opens up some spots for running backs at Arkansas. Coach Petrino (new Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino) is a cool guy, and Arkansas is changing their offense but they'll still run the ball. I was definitely interested in Arkansas, but I wanted to go to OSU.
"Growing up, I really wasn't an OSU fan or an OU fan. I really liked both of them. But as I got older, I went to more OSU games and I end ed up enjoying them. That's what drew me closer to OSU."
OSU now has five tailbacks: sophomore Kendall Hunter (who last season rushed for 696 yards as Dantrell Savage's backup), junior Keith Toston (recovering from knee surgery), junior college transfer Beau Johnson and two incoming freshmen -- Staley and Travis Miller.
Staley recently had been quoted as saying he was "50-50" on OSU and Arkansas. Asked whether he was concerned about Staley possibly signing with the Hogs, Gundy replied, "No. He was telling (reporters) one thing and telling us another."
Staley was recruited by Cowboy assistant Joe DeForest. "He knows me well and I know him well," Staley said. "We've got a great bond."
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
2/7/2008
He was quarterback of the 5A Bluejays, but is expected to play tailback.
GUTHRIE -- After insisting for two weeks that he was equally interested in Oklahoma State and Arkansas, Guthrie's Kye Staley signed a national letter of intent with the Cowboys on Wednesday.
"I've known since Sunday," Staley said during a signing ceremony at Guthrie High School. "That's why I came out with an Oklahoma State hat. I don't want any mystery. I knew where I was wanting to go."
One of six Cowboy recruits who is rated by Rivals.com as national four-star prospects, the 6-foot, 215-pound Staley quarterbacked Guthrie to the 2007 Class 5A championship. At OSU, he is expected to play the tailback position.
"We're very excited about him," Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said. "He's going to be a big back. I can see him being 225 (pounds) after he burns off a little fat and gets with (strength coach Rob Glass) for a couple of years."
A versatile player, Staley last season rushed for 1,380 yards and 28 touchdowns, passed for 625 yards and had 10 receptions for 320 yards. While OSU and Arkansas recruited him as a ballcarrier, Texas Tech recruited him to catch passes. Tech envisioned him as a slot receiver.
"Kye's biggest asset is his strength," Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins said. "Physically, he doesn't have as far to go as a lot of freshmen coming in. And the thing is, he doesn't turn 18 until the middle of August. He's young, but I think he'll get a good shot at tailback.
"I also think Kye could be an unbelievable strong safety. When you're a great athlete, you can do several dif ferent things. But his love is running back, and hopefully he'll make the best of it."
Staley also was offered scholarships by Kansas State, Michigan, Nebraska and Tennessee. He had committed to Oklahoma State in August, but visited Arkansas two weeks ago.
"I was intrigued when I heard that (Arkansas juniors) Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were leaving for the NFL," Staley said. "That opens up some spots for running backs at Arkansas. Coach Petrino (new Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino) is a cool guy, and Arkansas is changing their offense but they'll still run the ball. I was definitely interested in Arkansas, but I wanted to go to OSU.
"Growing up, I really wasn't an OSU fan or an OU fan. I really liked both of them. But as I got older, I went to more OSU games and I end ed up enjoying them. That's what drew me closer to OSU."
OSU now has five tailbacks: sophomore Kendall Hunter (who last season rushed for 696 yards as Dantrell Savage's backup), junior Keith Toston (recovering from knee surgery), junior college transfer Beau Johnson and two incoming freshmen -- Staley and Travis Miller.
Staley recently had been quoted as saying he was "50-50" on OSU and Arkansas. Asked whether he was concerned about Staley possibly signing with the Hogs, Gundy replied, "No. He was telling (reporters) one thing and telling us another."
Staley was recruited by Cowboy assistant Joe DeForest. "He knows me well and I know him well," Staley said. "We've got a great bond."