Football Recruiting - Midwest Region: Oklahoma Sooners
Ohio OL done waiting, commits to Sooners
May, 17, 2013
May 17
11:23
AM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
After the first visit to Oklahoma in March, offensive lineman Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy) was pretty sure he would wind up with the Sooners.
Following the second visit, he was sure OU was the place for him. But he still wasn’t going to rush his decision. He wanted to make the call when he felt ready.
On Friday morning, Dalton was ready. He called OU offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh to let him know he was pledging to the Sooners.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot here lately,” Dalton said. “There was nothing that really made me feel like I had to do it today, but I knew I wasn’t looking for anything else.”
Bedenbaugh tweeted on Friday morning he was going to be in Ohio for the day, and Dalton said Bedenbaugh spoke with his high school coach during the morning and everybody involved sensed the commitment coming.
Dalton announced a top three of OU, Indiana and Stanford in March following a busy spring break with trips to OU and Stanford. But after the second OU visit, it was more of a top one list than anything else. The Sooners were making their case, and Stanford had backed off a bit.
As the spring evaluation period continued, though, other schools made their push. Arkansas started to get in contact with him. Offers from Nebraska, Louisville and Virginia Tech came and interest from schools like Northwestern or Tennessee started to see what the interest was.
“I was open to go look at them, but I knew what I wanted,” Dalton said. “There wasn’t anything else I was looking for.”
Dalton said he had been messaging with Bedenbaugh on Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis and the relationship was only getting better with each day.
Dalton first forged his relationship with Bedenbaugh when Bedenbaugh was coaching at West Virginia. When Bedenbaugh made the move to OU, one of his first offers was to Dalton.
Dalton was comfortable with Bedenbaugh, but he had to make sure he was 100 percent sure OU met all of his requirements.
“I looked at the school itself for football,” Dalton said. “I thought about where I had the best chance to play. Where I fit in as a player and a person. The distance.
“Oklahoma is not too far away but far away enough for me to make it on my own. My family can visit and watch me play. It all worked out.”
Dalton is being recruited at center by the Sooners although he can also play offensive guard. Dalton is OU’s sixth overall commitment for the Class of 2014 and the second this week.
This is what OU fans were hoping for in getting Bedenbaugh as coach. OU’s first offensive lineman commit for the Class of 2013 came in December. This time around it is seven months earlier. And there is no doubting his commitment.
“I’m excited to have this process over,” Dalton said. “I know that if I would have waited longer, my mind wouldn’t have changed.”
Following the second visit, he was sure OU was the place for him. But he still wasn’t going to rush his decision. He wanted to make the call when he felt ready.
On Friday morning, Dalton was ready. He called OU offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh to let him know he was pledging to the Sooners.
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Bedenbaugh tweeted on Friday morning he was going to be in Ohio for the day, and Dalton said Bedenbaugh spoke with his high school coach during the morning and everybody involved sensed the commitment coming.
Dalton announced a top three of OU, Indiana and Stanford in March following a busy spring break with trips to OU and Stanford. But after the second OU visit, it was more of a top one list than anything else. The Sooners were making their case, and Stanford had backed off a bit.
As the spring evaluation period continued, though, other schools made their push. Arkansas started to get in contact with him. Offers from Nebraska, Louisville and Virginia Tech came and interest from schools like Northwestern or Tennessee started to see what the interest was.
“I was open to go look at them, but I knew what I wanted,” Dalton said. “There wasn’t anything else I was looking for.”
Dalton said he had been messaging with Bedenbaugh on Facebook and Twitter on a daily basis and the relationship was only getting better with each day.
Dalton first forged his relationship with Bedenbaugh when Bedenbaugh was coaching at West Virginia. When Bedenbaugh made the move to OU, one of his first offers was to Dalton.
Dalton was comfortable with Bedenbaugh, but he had to make sure he was 100 percent sure OU met all of his requirements.
“I looked at the school itself for football,” Dalton said. “I thought about where I had the best chance to play. Where I fit in as a player and a person. The distance.
“Oklahoma is not too far away but far away enough for me to make it on my own. My family can visit and watch me play. It all worked out.”
Dalton is being recruited at center by the Sooners although he can also play offensive guard. Dalton is OU’s sixth overall commitment for the Class of 2014 and the second this week.
This is what OU fans were hoping for in getting Bedenbaugh as coach. OU’s first offensive lineman commit for the Class of 2013 came in December. This time around it is seven months earlier. And there is no doubting his commitment.
“I’m excited to have this process over,” Dalton said. “I know that if I would have waited longer, my mind wouldn’t have changed.”
FRISCO, Texas -- Soso Jamabo (Plano, Texas/Plano West) would have liked to be a part of this weekend’s Nike EYBL series playing with the Texas Titans. With a sling on his right shoulder, however, the 2015 two-sport star was reduced to watching the Titans on the bench, offering instruction to teammates and being the team’s biggest supporter.
For the rest of the spring and most of the summer, Jamabo’s focus will be on rehabbing after undergoing shoulder surgery on April 30. Jamabo broke some bones and damaged some ligaments in his shoulder during a Texas Class 5A Division-I state quarterfinal playoff. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete is expected to miss 6-10 weeks but is projected to return a couple of weeks before Plano West’s first scrimmage in August.
“It’s early in the process, but it’s going well,” Jamabo said of the rehab process. “I’m just trying to get the shoulder back to usual, if not better. Right now, I’m just doing basic stuff and keep everything as minimal as possible.”
Exactly what kind of football player will Plano West look to see back on the field? Jamabo’s first rush as a varsity player was against Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus on Aug. 31. It went for 12 yards. His second rush: A 75-yard touchdown run.
Since then, Soso has been ... well ... anything but.
Only the shoulder injury managed to slow the electrifying 2015 running back down. He rushed for a team-leading 1,697 yards and 24 touchdowns and also caught 20 passes for 453 yards -- an average of almost 23 yards per catch -- and four touchdowns. On the basketball court, Jamabo averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 11 games.
For the rest of the spring and most of the summer, Jamabo’s focus will be on rehabbing after undergoing shoulder surgery on April 30. Jamabo broke some bones and damaged some ligaments in his shoulder during a Texas Class 5A Division-I state quarterfinal playoff. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete is expected to miss 6-10 weeks but is projected to return a couple of weeks before Plano West’s first scrimmage in August.
“It’s early in the process, but it’s going well,” Jamabo said of the rehab process. “I’m just trying to get the shoulder back to usual, if not better. Right now, I’m just doing basic stuff and keep everything as minimal as possible.”
Exactly what kind of football player will Plano West look to see back on the field? Jamabo’s first rush as a varsity player was against Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus on Aug. 31. It went for 12 yards. His second rush: A 75-yard touchdown run.
Since then, Soso has been ... well ... anything but.
Only the shoulder injury managed to slow the electrifying 2015 running back down. He rushed for a team-leading 1,697 yards and 24 touchdowns and also caught 20 passes for 453 yards -- an average of almost 23 yards per catch -- and four touchdowns. On the basketball court, Jamabo averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 11 games.
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Ohio OL comfortable on second OU visit 
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
10:00
AM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
The first visit to Oklahoma was a good one for offensive lineman Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy). Dalton and his father had a great time in Norman, Okla., last month, but something was missing.
His mother. If any school is going to be in serious consideration for Dalton, his mom would have to see the campus, as well. OU is now in serious consideration, as Dalton and both of his parents returned to campus last weekend.
His mother. If any school is going to be in serious consideration for Dalton, his mom would have to see the campus, as well. OU is now in serious consideration, as Dalton and both of his parents returned to campus last weekend.
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A conversation on a school bus never had been so important to rising defensive back Jason Hall (Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie).
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Lengthy trip worth it for California QB
April, 11, 2013
Apr 11
12:30
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
The Elite 11 regional competition is scheduled to make a stop May 17 in San Francisco. Quarterback Manny Wilkins (Novato, Calif./San Marin) couldn’t wait that long.
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Q&A: Ohio OT Dalton has list of top three
April, 10, 2013
Apr 10
11:00
AM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma first-year offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has been putting in a lot of work since coming to OU from West Virginia. And it’s clear his connections with some recruits have carried over and put the Sooners squarely in the mix for some linemen prospects.
One example is offensive tackle Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy). Offered by Bedenbaugh at West Virginia, he was offered again by Bedenbaugh for OU last month and made an unofficial visit to campus last week.
Dalton has offers from schools such as Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan State, but last week was the first time he flew to a campus as he saw OU and Stanford on his spring break.
One example is offensive tackle Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy). Offered by Bedenbaugh at West Virginia, he was offered again by Bedenbaugh for OU last month and made an unofficial visit to campus last week.
Dalton has offers from schools such as Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan State, but last week was the first time he flew to a campus as he saw OU and Stanford on his spring break.
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Want to know where Solomon Thomas (Coppell, Texas/Coppell) will end up? Good luck with that.
Truth is, the ESPN Watch List defensive end is wide open with his recruiting process -- and by “wide open,” that doesn’t mean, in this case, that he has a favorite but is keeping it under wraps.
Truth is, the ESPN Watch List defensive end is wide open with his recruiting process -- and by “wide open,” that doesn’t mean, in this case, that he has a favorite but is keeping it under wraps.
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A lot of Class of 2014 prospects have been hitting the road in the last couple of months for junior days and spring practices. But quarterback Zack Darlington (Apopka, Fla./Apopka) has taken a different approach.
His plan is to sit back patiently, and attack more in the future. He’s in no rush. Darlington, who is 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, is the younger brother of Oklahoma sophomore center Ty Darlington.
It was always the dream for Ty to play for the Sooners. Zack doesn’t have that same dream and is keeping his options open. And he’s adding more options by the day with offers from Ole Miss, North Carolina State and Nebraska, among others.
SoonerNation: The offers are starting to roll in for you. What’s the latest in terms of visits and your recruitment?
His plan is to sit back patiently, and attack more in the future. He’s in no rush. Darlington, who is 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, is the younger brother of Oklahoma sophomore center Ty Darlington.
It was always the dream for Ty to play for the Sooners. Zack doesn’t have that same dream and is keeping his options open. And he’s adding more options by the day with offers from Ole Miss, North Carolina State and Nebraska, among others.
SoonerNation: The offers are starting to roll in for you. What’s the latest in terms of visits and your recruitment?
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Tales From the Road spotlights players who stand out to RecruitingNation writers at camps, combines and various events. Here is a look at a few Midwest prospects who recently performed at a high level:
DE Jashon Cornell
Vital stats: (2015 / Saint Paul Cretin-Derham Hall / 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Considering: Offers from Iowa, Minnesota and Rutgers
DE Jashon Cornell
Vital stats: (2015 / Saint Paul Cretin-Derham Hall / 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Considering: Offers from Iowa, Minnesota and Rutgers
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Bama only definite visit for top juco OT
April, 2, 2013
Apr 2
9:11
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Being the champs has its benefits, especially when it comes to impressing recruits.
One of the country’s top junior college offensive tackles, Jermaine Eluemunor (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna College) was planning several trips and set official visits to Ohio State and Texas A&M, but now the only trip for certain is a visit to Alabama in mid-July.
One of the country’s top junior college offensive tackles, Jermaine Eluemunor (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna College) was planning several trips and set official visits to Ohio State and Texas A&M, but now the only trip for certain is a visit to Alabama in mid-July.
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Juco lineman lines up several big visits
April, 1, 2013
Apr 1
6:02
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
A series of visits are coming for one of the best junior college offensive linemen in the country, and he could start naming favorites shortly thereafter.
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Plenty of reasons to like 2014 DE Garrett
March, 27, 2013
Mar 27
9:33
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
The Twitter account for Myles Garrett (Arlington, Texas/Martin) tells half truth.
Garrett’s bio reads, “The big silly guy who plays football? Yea thats me,” and those who know Garrett know he enjoys to laugh and joke around. What the Twitter page doesn’t tell is just how athletically gifted the ESPN Watch List defensive end is. In fact, in addition to being the silly guy, friends have a nickname for him that seems to fit.
“They call me Superman,” Garrett said. “I guess it’s cool. It makes me laugh.”
Garrett’s bio reads, “The big silly guy who plays football? Yea thats me,” and those who know Garrett know he enjoys to laugh and joke around. What the Twitter page doesn’t tell is just how athletically gifted the ESPN Watch List defensive end is. In fact, in addition to being the silly guy, friends have a nickname for him that seems to fit.
“They call me Superman,” Garrett said. “I guess it’s cool. It makes me laugh.”
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When offer No. 31 came in for Washington (Pa.) running back Shai McKenzie last week, he figured it was time to start cutting his list. It sounds simple, but McKenzie had a harder time when it came to putting pen to paper.
“He struggled to make a list,” Washington coach Mike Bosnic said. “He’s really unsure.”
“He struggled to make a list,” Washington coach Mike Bosnic said. “He’s really unsure.”
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WR Cannon talks training, newest offers
March, 24, 2013
Mar 24
9:02
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
DUNCANVILLE, Texas -- Speed might best define ESPN Watch List wide receiver K.D. Cannon (Mount Pleasant, Texas/Mount Pleasant). His hands might be a close second. His outstanding 4.37-second 40-yard dash time and his 104 catches for 1,597 yards and 25 touchdowns support that.
What Cannon has been recently working on is how to overcome size mismatches against larger defenders in the secondary. At 6-foot-0 and 170 pounds, he knows that at the next level he will go up against cornerbacks and safeties who are 15 or 20 pounds heavier -- and just as quick.
What Cannon has been recently working on is how to overcome size mismatches against larger defenders in the secondary. At 6-foot-0 and 170 pounds, he knows that at the next level he will go up against cornerbacks and safeties who are 15 or 20 pounds heavier -- and just as quick.
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Watch List offensive tackle Andy Bauer (St. Louis/De Smet) works hard for everything he gets, but he doesn’t ask for much in return. There are only a couple of things he wants before he graduates next year.
A state championship would be nice. All-state recognition would serve as an added bonus. A college scholarship also would be a dream come true -- even though, with a list nearing 40 offers, that dream will become a reality in time.
One thing that Bauer has wanted is an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, and on Tuesday, the 6-foot-6, 304-pound tackle had his wish granted. Bauer received the invitation and happily accepted, and he’ll be a part of the 2014 edition of the prestigious all-star game.
A state championship would be nice. All-state recognition would serve as an added bonus. A college scholarship also would be a dream come true -- even though, with a list nearing 40 offers, that dream will become a reality in time.
One thing that Bauer has wanted is an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, and on Tuesday, the 6-foot-6, 304-pound tackle had his wish granted. Bauer received the invitation and happily accepted, and he’ll be a part of the 2014 edition of the prestigious all-star game.
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RECRUITING NATION MIDWEST COVERAGE
The Midwest Region consists of the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and is where the foundation of most Big Ten recruiting classes are made up of. It's also where the MAC finds most of its talent and national programs hunt for prospects.
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