In thinking about Iowa State this week, some recruiting reminders popped up.
1) In the class of 2014 there were a lot of red flags concerning Devon Thomas at Broken Arrow. The reasons behind his in season suspension were well known as were significant character questions. There was some thought given to cut bait with him, but OSU took his commitment with knowledge of the circumstances. It was a tactical error encouraged by the idea of beating our instate rival on a player (even though they cut ties with him). Additionally, there really was not any other high profile target remaining down the stretch that appeared signable. So, the decision was made to stick with him. At the time, there were voices clamoring to take a late flyer on Michael Warren as he tore it up his senior year with over 2500 yards rushing. It's a shame that his potential eligibility status was in limbo at the time, because he was without question the better athlete between him and Thomas. There was a fear that should we have pursued him and his qualification status cleared before signing day that a late offer from OU would have come and flipped him in order to get stronger footing with Barnett and to keep OSU out of Lawton. This would have left us high and dry at the position. The sad thing is we were left that way in the end anyway by our own choices. This Saturday, we will get a 1st hand reminder of that recruiting error as Michael Warren will go over 1000 yards rushing on the season against us, a team that has been searching for run game answers all year long. Sometimes irony is not so kind.
NOTE: There were three guys in that 2014 class that I wanted to see OSU sign that went elsewhere: Steven Parker, Michael Warren, and Tramal Ivy. The latter two were slow played due to academic concerns, while OU simply beat us on Parker. With Ivy jumping on board post-JC ball, our in-state haul from 2014 looks pretty solid: Jordan Brailford, Tramal Ivy, Gyasi Akem, and Dylan Harding. Sad that the headliner was the washout while everyone else was a hit.
2) Sad story part two: In watching Iowa State on tape this season it is apparent that former PC North lineman Daniel Burton has been one of their best overall players. Unfortunately, his status for our game is up in the air (doubtful) as he may be forced to shut down his season early. The Cyclones will miss his 26 career starts, replacing him in the lineup with massive Wendell Taiese (6'6" 350). Daniel was playing well enough that ESPN put him on the mid-season 1st team All Big 12 list a couple of weeks ago. Although he is a bit light for playing guard at the next level, he is a possible NFL draft pick after next season. The sad part? He grew up an Oklahoma State fan and wanted to play for the Cowboys. In a year where OSU has been looking for answers at guard, particularly when it comes to run blocking, we are reminded that the answer was in our own backyard. Considering how quickly Joe Wickline's super-find Greg Brantley washed out in his first week of practice, it's a shame that Burton was not signed instead. Our interior line depth would be in much better shape.
Iowa State is not a threat to win major head to head recruiting battles. The Cowboys are more talented at most positions, but it's frustrating to look at a team on film that has strengths at the only two significant weak spots for this year's Cowboy team and know that they came out of our backyard.
1) In the class of 2014 there were a lot of red flags concerning Devon Thomas at Broken Arrow. The reasons behind his in season suspension were well known as were significant character questions. There was some thought given to cut bait with him, but OSU took his commitment with knowledge of the circumstances. It was a tactical error encouraged by the idea of beating our instate rival on a player (even though they cut ties with him). Additionally, there really was not any other high profile target remaining down the stretch that appeared signable. So, the decision was made to stick with him. At the time, there were voices clamoring to take a late flyer on Michael Warren as he tore it up his senior year with over 2500 yards rushing. It's a shame that his potential eligibility status was in limbo at the time, because he was without question the better athlete between him and Thomas. There was a fear that should we have pursued him and his qualification status cleared before signing day that a late offer from OU would have come and flipped him in order to get stronger footing with Barnett and to keep OSU out of Lawton. This would have left us high and dry at the position. The sad thing is we were left that way in the end anyway by our own choices. This Saturday, we will get a 1st hand reminder of that recruiting error as Michael Warren will go over 1000 yards rushing on the season against us, a team that has been searching for run game answers all year long. Sometimes irony is not so kind.
NOTE: There were three guys in that 2014 class that I wanted to see OSU sign that went elsewhere: Steven Parker, Michael Warren, and Tramal Ivy. The latter two were slow played due to academic concerns, while OU simply beat us on Parker. With Ivy jumping on board post-JC ball, our in-state haul from 2014 looks pretty solid: Jordan Brailford, Tramal Ivy, Gyasi Akem, and Dylan Harding. Sad that the headliner was the washout while everyone else was a hit.
2) Sad story part two: In watching Iowa State on tape this season it is apparent that former PC North lineman Daniel Burton has been one of their best overall players. Unfortunately, his status for our game is up in the air (doubtful) as he may be forced to shut down his season early. The Cyclones will miss his 26 career starts, replacing him in the lineup with massive Wendell Taiese (6'6" 350). Daniel was playing well enough that ESPN put him on the mid-season 1st team All Big 12 list a couple of weeks ago. Although he is a bit light for playing guard at the next level, he is a possible NFL draft pick after next season. The sad part? He grew up an Oklahoma State fan and wanted to play for the Cowboys. In a year where OSU has been looking for answers at guard, particularly when it comes to run blocking, we are reminded that the answer was in our own backyard. Considering how quickly Joe Wickline's super-find Greg Brantley washed out in his first week of practice, it's a shame that Burton was not signed instead. Our interior line depth would be in much better shape.
Iowa State is not a threat to win major head to head recruiting battles. The Cowboys are more talented at most positions, but it's frustrating to look at a team on film that has strengths at the only two significant weak spots for this year's Cowboy team and know that they came out of our backyard.
