Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Football Recruiting


Today's topic:  Football recruiting                
 
I’m sure that all “rivalry schools” have intense recruiting battles, but the two teams playing in this year’s Cotton Bowl have had their share as well. Here is a chronological history of some of the interesting battles on the recruiting trails:


2006:

  • DeMarco Murray: Rumored to be going to TAMU, Murray signed w/ OU, had a great college career (all time TD leader at OU), and now stars for the Dallas Cowboys
  • E.J. Shankle: An OU Commit for many months, Shankle, a WR, switched to TAMU a month before signing day. No real impact over the years w/ TAMU

2008:

  • Jeff Fuller: This tall lanky WR was committed to OU for many months, before switching to A&M, where his Dad played. Fuller is now with the Dolphins (0 catches this year, so far)

 2010:

  • Corey Nelson: From Dallas Skyline (FB pipeline). Stuck with A&M until signing day, when he flipped to OU. Will be a Sr. next season, and a 3 year starter at LB

2011:

  • Brandon Williams: Heralded RB from Brookshire. Signed with OU and played as a freshman, then transferred to TAMU and is sitting out 2012 due to transfer rules.

2012:

  • De’Vante Harris (from Hutt’s school in Mesquite): Was a long-time OU commit, before switching to TAMU, where he started at CB (and played well)

2013:

  • Justin Manning: His brother played for OU, and OU “assumed” he would too, but this huge DT committed to TAMU just a couple of weeks ago
  • Kerrick Huggins: Interesting story. After Manning commits to TAMU, Huggins, another huge DT, switched from TAMU to OU (probably more playing time w/o Manning)

The year is not over yet. We’ll see what mystery and intrigue the last 6-7 weeks of recruiting has in store. With OU and A&M playing in the Cotton Bowl, in Dallas (where both schools recruit well), it will be a race to the finish line!

Enjoy the ride!