Oklahoma Sooners: Justin Manning
NORMAN, Okla. -- No school is ever going to get every top recruit it pursues. It’s just not reasonable.
Some of those misses can be shrugged off. There are other options out there, and one recruit doesn't make or break a program.
Some of those misses can be shrugged off. There are other options out there, and one recruit doesn't make or break a program.
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Solid DTs aren't always highly ranked 
February, 5, 2013
Feb 5
10:30
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Gerald McCoy and Tommie Harris are players who immediately come to mind when Oklahoma fans think of the tradition at defensive tackle. Both All-Americans were highly recruited high school prospects who stepped on campus with high expectations then fulfilled them.
But McCoy and Harris are the exception, not the norm.
But McCoy and Harris are the exception, not the norm.
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OU surviving poaching season ... for now
January, 21, 2013
Jan 21
9:30
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma is making a living out of flipping commitments for its 2013 class. The Sooners have done it five times out of their 20 commits.
And while OU coach Bob Stoops has been busy trying to get others to reconsider where they stand, other schools are making hard charges at some of Stoops’ prized recruits.
And while OU coach Bob Stoops has been busy trying to get others to reconsider where they stand, other schools are making hard charges at some of Stoops’ prized recruits.
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DT Huggins comfortable with Sooners
December, 31, 2012
12/31/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
It was becoming a horrible repetitive song and dance for Oklahoma’s 2013 recruiting class. Make an offer to a top defensive tackle. Have OU defensive tackles coach Jackie Shipp develop a strong bond with the prospect.
Get the recruit to the campus. Have the Sooners reach the final three and then have OU fans’ hearts ripped out when he goes to another school.
Need proof? Houston Westfield’s Hardreck Walker chose Texas A&M over OU. ESPN 150 DT Greg Gilmore (Hope Mills, N.C./South View) picked LSU over the Sooners.
Get the recruit to the campus. Have the Sooners reach the final three and then have OU fans’ hearts ripped out when he goes to another school.
Need proof? Houston Westfield’s Hardreck Walker chose Texas A&M over OU. ESPN 150 DT Greg Gilmore (Hope Mills, N.C./South View) picked LSU over the Sooners.
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DT Kerrick Huggins flips commitment to OU
December, 14, 2012
12/14/12
3:36
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Three-star defensive tackle Kerrick Huggins (Dallas/Skyline) has flipped his commitment from the Aggies to the Sooners, according to a Dallas Skyline coach.
Huggins, who is 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, decommitted from Texas A&M and committed to OU on Thursday, according to Dallas Skyline recruiting coordinator Jason R. Garrett.
The change in commitment is a major boost to OU, which has been desperate to find a defensive tackle for its 2013 class.
The Sooners and Aggies have battled it out four times for defensive tackles in this class, and the scoreboard read 4-0 for the Aggies in terms of recruits that had offers from both schools.
The biggest blow was last week when ESPN 150 tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball) picked A&M over OU despite all of his OU connections and the fact his older brother, DeMarcus Granger, played defensive tackle for the Sooners.
Huggins was among Texas A&M’s first commits for the class, pledging to the Aggies in February. Since then, A&M has racked up three more tackle commits and had five commits at the position coming into the week.
OU, which is hoping to have three commits at the position, had zero entering the week. It has come close with several top prospects but has not been able to seal the deal. Until now.
OU didn’t initially offer Huggins. It wasn’t until September that the Sooners extended that honor. Huggins said then he was flattered by the offer, but he was solid with A&M.
The Sooners didn’t stop, though, continuing to recruit him even if it didn’t look like it was going to pay off.
The persistence did pay off. Huggins is OU’s 15th commit and second of the week, joining three-star defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Houston/Alief Taylor). Like Huggins, Okornkwo was a flipped commitment, too, going from Bedlam rival Oklahoma State to OU on Wednesday.
Huggins, who is 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, decommitted from Texas A&M and committed to OU on Thursday, according to Dallas Skyline recruiting coordinator Jason R. Garrett.
- Kerrick Huggins
- Defensive tackle
- 2013
- Committed: Oklahoma
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| 36 | 79 | Dallas, TX |
The Sooners and Aggies have battled it out four times for defensive tackles in this class, and the scoreboard read 4-0 for the Aggies in terms of recruits that had offers from both schools.
The biggest blow was last week when ESPN 150 tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball) picked A&M over OU despite all of his OU connections and the fact his older brother, DeMarcus Granger, played defensive tackle for the Sooners.
Huggins was among Texas A&M’s first commits for the class, pledging to the Aggies in February. Since then, A&M has racked up three more tackle commits and had five commits at the position coming into the week.
OU, which is hoping to have three commits at the position, had zero entering the week. It has come close with several top prospects but has not been able to seal the deal. Until now.
OU didn’t initially offer Huggins. It wasn’t until September that the Sooners extended that honor. Huggins said then he was flattered by the offer, but he was solid with A&M.
The Sooners didn’t stop, though, continuing to recruit him even if it didn’t look like it was going to pay off.
The persistence did pay off. Huggins is OU’s 15th commit and second of the week, joining three-star defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Houston/Alief Taylor). Like Huggins, Okornkwo was a flipped commitment, too, going from Bedlam rival Oklahoma State to OU on Wednesday.
A&M with recruiting edge over OU in 2013
December, 12, 2012
12/12/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma is 10-2 on the season and Big 12 co-champions. The Sooners have a strong history and winning tradition.
But try telling that to Class of 2013 recruits. Because right now, Texas A&M is where it’s at.
Want proof? Two OU commits (RB Keith Ford and LB Jordan Mastrogiovanni) have offers from the Aggies. Conversely, OU has offered 10 of A&M's commits.
But try telling that to Class of 2013 recruits. Because right now, Texas A&M is where it’s at.
Want proof? Two OU commits (RB Keith Ford and LB Jordan Mastrogiovanni) have offers from the Aggies. Conversely, OU has offered 10 of A&M's commits.
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Recruiting faceoff: Biggest disappointment?
December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
2:00
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo and
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Each week SoonerNation recruiting writers Bob Przybylo and Brandon Chatmon will faceoff on one issue regarding Oklahoma recruiting.
This week’s question: What has been the biggest disappointment for OU so far for its 2013 recruiting class?
Bob Przybylo: The popular choice is ESPN 150 defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball), but he had been openly flirting with Texas A&M the whole time and seemingly had been looking for a reason to not pick OU.
This week’s question: What has been the biggest disappointment for OU so far for its 2013 recruiting class?
Bob Przybylo: The popular choice is ESPN 150 defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball), but he had been openly flirting with Texas A&M the whole time and seemingly had been looking for a reason to not pick OU.
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DT Manning another big miss for Sooners
December, 6, 2012
12/06/12
4:16
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma has played bridesmaid for several top ESPN 150 recruits in the last few months. But on many of them, the Sooners were considered longshots.
But Dallas Kimball defensive tackle Justin Manning? He was thought to be a shoo-in ever since he was offered this spring. A no-brainer. If anybody was going to be a Sooner commit for the 2013 class, it was going to be Manning.
That’s the luck the Sooners are having right now on the recruiting trail as Manning, ranked No. 88 in the ESPN 150 and No. 8 at defensive tackle, chose Texas A&M over OU and TCU at a ceremony at Dallas Kimball on Thursday afternoon.
But Dallas Kimball defensive tackle Justin Manning? He was thought to be a shoo-in ever since he was offered this spring. A no-brainer. If anybody was going to be a Sooner commit for the 2013 class, it was going to be Manning.
That’s the luck the Sooners are having right now on the recruiting trail as Manning, ranked No. 88 in the ESPN 150 and No. 8 at defensive tackle, chose Texas A&M over OU and TCU at a ceremony at Dallas Kimball on Thursday afternoon.
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
December, 6, 2012
12/06/12
10:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, SoonerNation releases the Sooner Intel, a sneak peek inside Oklahoma Sooners football recruiting with news and notes on the latest happenings around the program. Talk about it on our forum. A few things discussed in this week's update:
- It's decision day for DT target Justin Manning
- Has OU fallen behind on recruiting an ESPN 150 LB?
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It feels like the Sooners have been playing catchup for most of the year on the recruiting trail. The OU coaches have preached patience with the class offers, and it has put OU in a tough spot.
This time, though, it wasn’t OU’s fault. With the Sooners playing Saturday at TCU, they couldn’t utilize the first week of in-home visits, so they will have to make up some ground.
OU will get started in a hurry. Three big names scheduled to have in-home visits are ESPN 150 defensive tackle Maquedius Bain (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School), ESPN 150 safety Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Ranch Cucamonga) and ESPN 300 athlete and Florida State commit Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna).
This time, though, it wasn’t OU’s fault. With the Sooners playing Saturday at TCU, they couldn’t utilize the first week of in-home visits, so they will have to make up some ground.
OU will get started in a hurry. Three big names scheduled to have in-home visits are ESPN 150 defensive tackle Maquedius Bain (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School), ESPN 150 safety Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Ranch Cucamonga) and ESPN 300 athlete and Florida State commit Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna).
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DT Manning moves up announcement date
December, 2, 2012
12/02/12
12:12
PM CT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
It’s been quite a journey, but ESPN 150 defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball) now knows where he wants to play college football.
In fact, he’s so confident that he moved up his announcement date from Friday to Thursday.
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
2:00
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, SoonerNation releases the Sooner Intel, a sneak peek inside Oklahoma Sooners football recruiting with news and notes on the latest happenings around the program. Talk about it on our forum. A few things discussed in this week's update:
- Crazy week continues for new OU commit
- More on the defensive end situation
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Justin Manning confirms decision date
November, 28, 2012
11/28/12
12:01
PM CT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball) has confirmed that he will announce where he will play college football on Dec. 7.
Manning, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound tackle, said the announcement most likely will take place at his high school between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. CT. He is expected to choose among Oklahoma, Texas A&M or TCU.
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OU hasn't made big impression on trail
November, 21, 2012
11/21/12
10:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
It’s going too far to call Oklahoma’s 2012 season a disappointment at this point. The Sooners are 8-2, 6-1 in Big 12 conference play. Goals of winning the conference championship and playing in a BCS bowl game remain within reach.
OU has only lost home games to No. 2 Kansas State and No. 4 Notre Dame, two of the best teams in the country. So why does it feel like a lackluster fall in Norman, Okla., on the recruiting trail?
The Sooners simply haven’t made that huge impression to nab big-time recruits. OU has hosted them, a slew of top-ranked recruits in the ESPN 150 and ESPN 300. But the Sooners haven’t earned a commitment from any of them since the season began.
OU has only lost home games to No. 2 Kansas State and No. 4 Notre Dame, two of the best teams in the country. So why does it feel like a lackluster fall in Norman, Okla., on the recruiting trail?
The Sooners simply haven’t made that huge impression to nab big-time recruits. OU has hosted them, a slew of top-ranked recruits in the ESPN 150 and ESPN 300. But the Sooners haven’t earned a commitment from any of them since the season began.
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Justin Manning: Decision 'after the season'
November, 15, 2012
11/15/12
11:59
PM CT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
To all the Sooners, Aggies and Horned Frogs fans, do not expect an answer from Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball) until after the playoffs.
The ESPN 150 defensive tackle on Thursday night said that his primary focus is to help keep Kimball in the Texas Class 4A playoffs for as long as possible. The Knights opened the postseason with a 38-13 win against Dallas Bryan Adams.
“I won’t make any decisions until after the playoffs,” said Manning, who reconfirmed that Oklahoma, Texas A&M and TCU are in his final three.
The ESPN 150 defensive tackle on Thursday night said that his primary focus is to help keep Kimball in the Texas Class 4A playoffs for as long as possible. The Knights opened the postseason with a 38-13 win against Dallas Bryan Adams.
“I won’t make any decisions until after the playoffs,” said Manning, who reconfirmed that Oklahoma, Texas A&M and TCU are in his final three.
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ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, covering OU and Big 12 football. He's a graduate of Washington and Lee (Va.) University and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The Oklahoman, covering Oklahoma State University, high schools and recruiting. Chatmon lives in Norman, Okla. Email him at bchatmonespn@gmail.com.
Bob Przybylo
Bob Przybylo joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years with The Oklahoman, covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.