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Recruiting Starting Slow for Pokes by Mac Thompson High School & Recruiting Expert October 24, 2001
The woeful season thus far for the Pokes is certainly not helping in their recruiting efforts. Although it's still very early, the Cowboys 2002 recruiting class is not looking like a stellar one. So far, Les Miles and company have three commitments from high school seniors in Texas and Oklahoma.
The Cowboys need help in many areas on the field. Maybe the most important area for top performers is the offensive and defensive lines. The problem is, that's the same area the OU Sooners are needing help on. You can bet the Sooners will get the cream of the crop while the Pokes will be accepting the leftovers.
However, leftovers are not a bad thing. Take a look at the Kansas State Wildcats. I know they're struggling right now, but no one can dispute their record over the past three or four seasons. The Wildcats arguably have been the Big 12's best team over the past five years. And you know what? They've been living on leftovers the whole time.
And the defending National Champs down in Norman, they won last year with a few leftovers too. You think that Josh Heupel was really the number one QB Stoops staff wanted when they came in? If you said no, you were right. Josh Heupel was a leftover and a darn good one at that. And remember Orange Bowl MVP Torrance Marshall at OU? You could have considered him a leftover too.
You know, as a matter-a-fact, the Cowboys have had some success with leftovers over the years. Anyone remember a little running back they had back in the late 1980's? Yeah, I'm talking about Barry Sanders -- probably the greatest recruiting leftover of all time. The Sooners passed on him and the Pokes took a chance -- a chance that translated into a Heisman Trophy.
What the Cowboys' coaching staff needs to do is get lucky with a few of the leftovers. They've already got good players on campus. Aso Pogi still has tremendous potential if he ever gets his confidence back. And Tatum Bell can be an All-Big 12 performer. The Pokes simply need some playmakers in the trenches. Guys like Bubba Burcham at OU last season. Not highly recruited guys, but gutty guys. The kind of guys that will do whatever it takes. I know that's old coach talk, but it's true.
Well let's get back to the current situation. The Cowboys have three commitments so far. One is from QB prospect Zac Taylor of Norman. He is a big kid (6-3) with a nice arm. According to Taylor, OSU is only going to sign one QB this recruiting season and he's the one. If that's true, it might be a mistake. The Cowboys need more options at the QB position to add competition and create better depth.
The Pokes also have a commitment from the younger brother of current WR Rashaun Woods. Dejuan Woods is a 5-10 speedster out of Millwood. The younger woods is also a tremendous leaper and will have a shot to play as a true freshman.
The final commitment the Cowboys have currently is offensive line prospect Jonathan Cruz of Arlington, Texas. Cruz is a giant at 6-7, 320 pounds. He's not being heavily recruited by other schools currently, but Cowboy coaches think he's a sleeper.
Well that's it for now. We'll continue to keep you up-to-date on recruiting news from Stillwater.
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