Pokevette
12-11-2007, 03:26 PM
By Mike Baldwin
Staff Writer
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State received some good recruiting news last weekend. Not only did five players commit to the Cowboys following official visits, four of the five will enroll early and participate in spring drills.
Of 12 recruits on campus over the weekend, seven have committed to OSU, including the five new commitments. Four of the five new commitments are junior college prospects.
The highest rated new commitment, running back Beau Johnson, said he might consider other schools after hearing offensive coordinator Larry Fedora might leave for Southern Mississippi.
A four-star running back who led Butler (Kan.) County to the junior college national title, Johnson said he still is leaning toward OSU. But he wants to be assured of the offensive philosophy before ruling out all other schools.
Johnson, 5-foot-9, 205 pounds, is similar to All-Big 12 running back Dantrell Savage. Johnson rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns in Butler's 56-27 win over Snow (Utah) in the juco national title game.
OSU also received commitments from three other junior college players. All three are rated three-star prospects: offensive tackle Andrew Mitchell, defensive end Jeremiah Price and safety Lucien Antoine.
Antoine, from Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College, compiled 112 tackles and four interceptions. The Coral Springs, Fla., product was being recruited by Arkansas, Louisville, Mississippi, Purdue and Kansas State.
Mitchell, a 6-5, 300-pound offensive tackle from Choctaw, anchored Snow's offensive line. Almost 23 years old, Mitchell went to Snow following a two-year Mormon mission. Mitchell redshirted and played one season at tight end before moving to tackle.
The other junior college commitment was Price, a 6-4, 245-pound defensive end from Jones County (Miss.) Community College. Price recorded 9.5 sacks and 52 tackles.
Price, from Collins, Miss., was hosted by Savage, who also played at a Mississippi junior college. Similar to some of OSU's current defensive ends, Price relies on speed (4.7 in the 40).
The fifth commitment was Johnny Thomas, a running back/safety from Texas City, Texas. Thomas is listed as a two-star recruit, but the Houston-area product has compiled solid stats.
Thomas recorded eight interceptions his junior year. This season, he switched to running back, rushing for 1,786 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Two recruits on campus last weekend were early commitments — quarterback Kody Spano and wide receiver Adrian Richards. Both are high school players. Both plan to graduate high school early and enroll early.
The Cowboys already have six players who plan to enroll in January and participate in spring drills. OSU might sign another junior college player, the top target being Georgia Military defensive tackle Leroy Burgess.
Spano, from Stephenville, Texas, was hampered by a shoulder injury but threw for 2,263 yards and 23 touchdowns. In his final game, a second-round playoff loss, Spano was sacked eight times but threw for 399 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Richards, from Mesquite, Texas, hauled in 44 passes for 573 yards and four touchdowns.
The Cowboys have 22 commitments. They plan to sign 27, with two counting toward the 2007 class. Verbal commitments are non-binding until February. The six players that will enroll in January can sign letters of intent later this month.
Staff Writer
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State received some good recruiting news last weekend. Not only did five players commit to the Cowboys following official visits, four of the five will enroll early and participate in spring drills.
Of 12 recruits on campus over the weekend, seven have committed to OSU, including the five new commitments. Four of the five new commitments are junior college prospects.
The highest rated new commitment, running back Beau Johnson, said he might consider other schools after hearing offensive coordinator Larry Fedora might leave for Southern Mississippi.
A four-star running back who led Butler (Kan.) County to the junior college national title, Johnson said he still is leaning toward OSU. But he wants to be assured of the offensive philosophy before ruling out all other schools.
Johnson, 5-foot-9, 205 pounds, is similar to All-Big 12 running back Dantrell Savage. Johnson rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns in Butler's 56-27 win over Snow (Utah) in the juco national title game.
OSU also received commitments from three other junior college players. All three are rated three-star prospects: offensive tackle Andrew Mitchell, defensive end Jeremiah Price and safety Lucien Antoine.
Antoine, from Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College, compiled 112 tackles and four interceptions. The Coral Springs, Fla., product was being recruited by Arkansas, Louisville, Mississippi, Purdue and Kansas State.
Mitchell, a 6-5, 300-pound offensive tackle from Choctaw, anchored Snow's offensive line. Almost 23 years old, Mitchell went to Snow following a two-year Mormon mission. Mitchell redshirted and played one season at tight end before moving to tackle.
The other junior college commitment was Price, a 6-4, 245-pound defensive end from Jones County (Miss.) Community College. Price recorded 9.5 sacks and 52 tackles.
Price, from Collins, Miss., was hosted by Savage, who also played at a Mississippi junior college. Similar to some of OSU's current defensive ends, Price relies on speed (4.7 in the 40).
The fifth commitment was Johnny Thomas, a running back/safety from Texas City, Texas. Thomas is listed as a two-star recruit, but the Houston-area product has compiled solid stats.
Thomas recorded eight interceptions his junior year. This season, he switched to running back, rushing for 1,786 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Two recruits on campus last weekend were early commitments — quarterback Kody Spano and wide receiver Adrian Richards. Both are high school players. Both plan to graduate high school early and enroll early.
The Cowboys already have six players who plan to enroll in January and participate in spring drills. OSU might sign another junior college player, the top target being Georgia Military defensive tackle Leroy Burgess.
Spano, from Stephenville, Texas, was hampered by a shoulder injury but threw for 2,263 yards and 23 touchdowns. In his final game, a second-round playoff loss, Spano was sacked eight times but threw for 399 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Richards, from Mesquite, Texas, hauled in 44 passes for 573 yards and four touchdowns.
The Cowboys have 22 commitments. They plan to sign 27, with two counting toward the 2007 class. Verbal commitments are non-binding until February. The six players that will enroll in January can sign letters of intent later this month.