Oklahoma Sooners: Matthew Romar
NORMAN, Okla. -- OK, Jerry Montgomery, this is a big reason you were brought to Oklahoma. Defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (San Antonio/Warren) unexpectedly committing to Texas on Saturday night is another example of the Sooners falling short at defensive tackle.
And an example of the work ahead for Montgomery.
For OU’s 2012 class, the Sooners had a plan to not lobby too hard for a defensive tackle. They didn’t attack any high school or junior college prospects and were content with who was on campus.
And an example of the work ahead for Montgomery.
For OU’s 2012 class, the Sooners had a plan to not lobby too hard for a defensive tackle. They didn’t attack any high school or junior college prospects and were content with who was on campus.
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After recruiting them for several months, Oklahoma's coaching staff was finally able to talk publicly about the players the Sooners added to the program on signing day. Over the next week or so, SoonerNation will review some of the key things coaches had to say about the players signed at each position group during their signing day webcast on Soonersports.com.
The Sooners hope they made a quality evaluation with their signing of defensive tackle Matthew Romar (Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial). The 6-foot-3, 265-pound future Sooner played various positions in high school, including running back. OU hopes the athleticism that allowed him to play running back will help him become a playmaker in the middle of the Sooners' defense.
"This guy played running back at times," defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. "He can do a lot of things, we love the way he plays. He's a very athletic guy. We're really happy to get him."
With every program in the country searching for quality defensive tackles, the ability to project players to the defensive tackle position is becoming more and more important. That's what the Sooners have done with Romar and OU is banking on his athleticism to take over once he gets familiar with playing defensive tackle on a full-time basis.
"He's a really good get," defensive ends coach Bobby Jack Wright said. "A big strong guy. He’s a pretty good running back so you know he has to have a little bit of explosiveness to him."
The Sooners hope they made a quality evaluation with their signing of defensive tackle Matthew Romar (Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial). The 6-foot-3, 265-pound future Sooner played various positions in high school, including running back. OU hopes the athleticism that allowed him to play running back will help him become a playmaker in the middle of the Sooners' defense.
"This guy played running back at times," defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. "He can do a lot of things, we love the way he plays. He's a very athletic guy. We're really happy to get him."
With every program in the country searching for quality defensive tackles, the ability to project players to the defensive tackle position is becoming more and more important. That's what the Sooners have done with Romar and OU is banking on his athleticism to take over once he gets familiar with playing defensive tackle on a full-time basis.
"He's a really good get," defensive ends coach Bobby Jack Wright said. "A big strong guy. He’s a pretty good running back so you know he has to have a little bit of explosiveness to him."
Position breakdown: Defensive tackle 
February, 25, 2013
Feb 25
10:45
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By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Michigan defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery will become Oklahoma's defensive tackles coach. And he faces a tall task in Norman.
No position on Oklahoma’s roster has more questions marks than defensive tackle.
No position on Oklahoma’s roster has more questions marks than defensive tackle.
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Another day, another Oklahoma assistant coach shown the door. This one, though, has sent shock waves through OU recruiting circles.
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LB coach Kish closes strong for Sooners
February, 7, 2013
Feb 7
8:00
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Entering the fall, some Oklahoma fans were wondering what in the world first-year linebackers coach Tim Kish was doing.
Kish had made a big reputation as a solid recruiter during his time at Arizona. Several months into the job at OU, and he hadn’t help land any of the top Arizona recruits, had taken too long with many top Texas prospects and had some fans calling for a change.
Supporters of Kish said give it time, give him an opportunity to build the relationships with recruits and judge him from there.
Kish had made a big reputation as a solid recruiter during his time at Arizona. Several months into the job at OU, and he hadn’t help land any of the top Arizona recruits, had taken too long with many top Texas prospects and had some fans calling for a change.
Supporters of Kish said give it time, give him an opportunity to build the relationships with recruits and judge him from there.
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Damon Sayles/ESPNCornerback Dakota Austin committed to the Sooners over the weekend and signed on Wednesday.Watch live coverage on ESPNU | Talk signing day on our SoonerNation forum
| OU class
Follow the live blog after the jump.
Solid DTs aren't always highly ranked
February, 5, 2013
Feb 5
10:30
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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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Sooners' board dwindling in final week
February, 1, 2013
Feb 1
8:00
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- We've hit the stretch run for the Sooners' 2013 recruiting class. And while so much of Oklahoma’s class has been decided, there is still much to settle by Feb. 6.
Heading into this final weekend before national signing day, here are OU’s top targets still left on the board:
Heading into this final weekend before national signing day, here are OU’s top targets still left on the board:
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Matthew Romar adds depth for Sooners
January, 30, 2013
Jan 30
5:00
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma’s continued pursuit of defensive tackle Matthew Romar (Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial) is a sign the Sooners are looking to use numbers to make up for past mistakes.
Romar is the fourth defensive tackle the Sooners are looking to add on signing day as OU hopes to beef up its defensive front this fall and in the future. OU brought in three defensive tackles combined in its 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes and enters the 2013 season with sophomore Jordan Phillips as the lone returning defensive tackle with game experience.
Additionally, the Sooners currently have five defensive tackles on campus, so the addition of four newcomers is badly needed, especially considering the hit-or-miss proposition of defensive tackle evaluation. The sheer numbers also increase the possibility of getting immediate help from one or two of the newcomers while creating a safety net if one of the four are unable to make it on campus.
Romar is the fourth defensive tackle the Sooners are looking to add on signing day as OU hopes to beef up its defensive front this fall and in the future. OU brought in three defensive tackles combined in its 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes and enters the 2013 season with sophomore Jordan Phillips as the lone returning defensive tackle with game experience.
Additionally, the Sooners currently have five defensive tackles on campus, so the addition of four newcomers is badly needed, especially considering the hit-or-miss proposition of defensive tackle evaluation. The sheer numbers also increase the possibility of getting immediate help from one or two of the newcomers while creating a safety net if one of the four are unable to make it on campus.
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Two weeks ago it looked like Oklahoma was done looking for defensive tackles for its 2013 class. Assistant coach Jackie Shipp had put in major work and landed three quality commitments.
But Shipp wasn’t done. He went to Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial last weekend and offered three-star prospect Matthew Romar.
Romar saw OU’s campus for the first time this weekend and took some time to think it over before committing to the Sooners, Port Arthur Memorial coach Kenny Harrison confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.
Romar, who is 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, also had offers from Tulsa and Baylor, among others. Once the Sooners fully entered the race, though, it became clear it was up to OU to simply close the deal.
He played a little bit of running back in high school so there was some speculation about his size. Harrison said once Shipp saw Romar in person two weeks ago, all the doubts vanished.
But Shipp wasn’t done. He went to Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial last weekend and offered three-star prospect Matthew Romar.
Romar saw OU’s campus for the first time this weekend and took some time to think it over before committing to the Sooners, Port Arthur Memorial coach Kenny Harrison confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.
Romar, who is 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, also had offers from Tulsa and Baylor, among others. Once the Sooners fully entered the race, though, it became clear it was up to OU to simply close the deal.
He played a little bit of running back in high school so there was some speculation about his size. Harrison said once Shipp saw Romar in person two weeks ago, all the doubts vanished.
NORMAN, Okla. -- With everybody looking for instant gratification, it’s tough to view the weekend as a success for Oklahoma.
But it was even if it doesn’t feel like it for fans.
But it was even if it doesn’t feel like it for fans.
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Georgia tackles top OU's target board
January, 25, 2013
Jan 25
8:00
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
In the stretch run, and while so much of Oklahoma’s class has been decided, plenty more will happen in the next two weeks.
Top targets are changing on almost a daily basis, but heading into the weekend here are OU’s top 10 targets left on the board.
Top targets are changing on almost a daily basis, but heading into the weekend here are OU’s top 10 targets left on the board.
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
January, 17, 2013
Jan 17
10:00
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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:
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
- The Sooners are right back in the mix with a four-star cornerback
- One target is headed to a junior college
- New receiver commit gets to know his position coach on official visit
- New defensive tackle commits talks official visit, how he and his host bonded
- Breaking down Oklahoma's search for two more offensive tackles
- The Sooners have offered a new defensive tackle
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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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.