Surprised this has not received discussion...last sentence by Coach Gundy touches on an issue that has been discussed on this board frequently in the last few weeks.
OSU must replace decommitments
One in July. Another in December. And per tradition, in early February.
That was Gundy's solution for reporters about this time last year when asked about a rash of decommitments across the nation. As he enters his 12th season as Oklahoma State's head coach, Gundy certainly understands the challenge of replacing a high profile commit that changes his decision in the shadow of signing day.
“If you have a guy slotted in for a long time, and then he leaves on you,” said Gundy last week, “then you're in trouble.”
In 2013, John Tyler (Texas) receiver Fred Ross broke his nearly year-long pledge and flipped to Mississippi State the night before signing day. In 2014, McKinney North (Texas) running back Ronald Jones opted for Southern Cal in a December decision after eight months committed to the Cowboys.
And just last December, Liberty Christian (Texas) quarterback Nick Starkel re-opened his options following a spring OSU pledge.
Reasons for each deccomitment varied, but some truths described all three: The Cowboys were among the first major programs to offer a scholarship, the player rose to a four-star rated prospect by his senior year, and was eventually lured away by another big-name school.
All decisions made public on social media, for better or worse.
“We're just kids,” Starkel told Bleacher Report. “We do things that aren't always ‘approved' by older people. That doesn't mean a 40-year-old man should say hateful things to us on Twitter. It cracks me up.”
But it's no laughing matter for OSU's coaching staff. Pressure to identify and secure a pledge from a scholarship quarterback will be paramount as it heads into a massive recruiting weekend in Stillwater where dozens of committed and uncommitted prospects are scheduled for official visits. The lateness of Starkel's departure also means OSU will likely resort to the same tactics that resulted in its current bind — flip a longtime commitment from another program.
“We have an opinion of certain schools that do a great job of evaluating,” Gundy said. “If they offer a kid, we have to go look, because we think they know what they're doing.”
It appears Louisiana Tech might be among those programs.
Last year, the Cowboys landed a late commitment from Port Allen (La.) offensive lineman Marcus Keyes, a former LTU pledge. This December, OSU offered a scholarship to Parkway (La.) quarterback Kendondre Wudtee, who rescinded his LTU commitment shortly after.
Wudtee — along with John Marshall offensive lineman Tramonda Moore, Plano East (Texas) receiver Audie Omotosho, Duncanville (Texas) defensive tackle Marcel Southall and Edmond Sante Fe linebacker Calvin Bundage — will be visitors in Stillwater this weekend.
Gundy is optimistic about the strength of the 2016 class with National Signing Day on Feb. 3.
“I'll know more in a year from now,” Gundy said. “But I think this is the best recruiting staff we've ever had.”
OSU must replace decommitments
- By Kyle Fredrickson Staff Writer kfredrickson@oklahoman.com
- January 13, 2016
One in July. Another in December. And per tradition, in early February.
That was Gundy's solution for reporters about this time last year when asked about a rash of decommitments across the nation. As he enters his 12th season as Oklahoma State's head coach, Gundy certainly understands the challenge of replacing a high profile commit that changes his decision in the shadow of signing day.
“If you have a guy slotted in for a long time, and then he leaves on you,” said Gundy last week, “then you're in trouble.”
In 2013, John Tyler (Texas) receiver Fred Ross broke his nearly year-long pledge and flipped to Mississippi State the night before signing day. In 2014, McKinney North (Texas) running back Ronald Jones opted for Southern Cal in a December decision after eight months committed to the Cowboys.
And just last December, Liberty Christian (Texas) quarterback Nick Starkel re-opened his options following a spring OSU pledge.
Reasons for each deccomitment varied, but some truths described all three: The Cowboys were among the first major programs to offer a scholarship, the player rose to a four-star rated prospect by his senior year, and was eventually lured away by another big-name school.
All decisions made public on social media, for better or worse.
“We're just kids,” Starkel told Bleacher Report. “We do things that aren't always ‘approved' by older people. That doesn't mean a 40-year-old man should say hateful things to us on Twitter. It cracks me up.”
But it's no laughing matter for OSU's coaching staff. Pressure to identify and secure a pledge from a scholarship quarterback will be paramount as it heads into a massive recruiting weekend in Stillwater where dozens of committed and uncommitted prospects are scheduled for official visits. The lateness of Starkel's departure also means OSU will likely resort to the same tactics that resulted in its current bind — flip a longtime commitment from another program.
“We have an opinion of certain schools that do a great job of evaluating,” Gundy said. “If they offer a kid, we have to go look, because we think they know what they're doing.”
It appears Louisiana Tech might be among those programs.
Last year, the Cowboys landed a late commitment from Port Allen (La.) offensive lineman Marcus Keyes, a former LTU pledge. This December, OSU offered a scholarship to Parkway (La.) quarterback Kendondre Wudtee, who rescinded his LTU commitment shortly after.
Wudtee — along with John Marshall offensive lineman Tramonda Moore, Plano East (Texas) receiver Audie Omotosho, Duncanville (Texas) defensive tackle Marcel Southall and Edmond Sante Fe linebacker Calvin Bundage — will be visitors in Stillwater this weekend.
Gundy is optimistic about the strength of the 2016 class with National Signing Day on Feb. 3.
“I'll know more in a year from now,” Gundy said. “But I think this is the best recruiting staff we've ever had.”
