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With Mejia commitment, TU-Union bond becomes stronger
Published: 12/14/2012 9:34 AM
Last Modified: 12/14/2012 11:40 AM

During a period of less than 24 hours, there was a fortification of the bond connecting the University of Tulsa and Union High School football programs.

On Thursday, Union defensive end Dalton Rodriguez rescinded his commitment to Oklahoma and announced his intention to sign with the Golden Hurricane. This morning, during a live interview aired by the Sports Animal Tulsa 97.1 FM, Redskin guard Blake Mejia reported that he also has committed to the TU program.

“Coach Blankenship (TU coach Bill Blankenship) – he’s a Union guy,” said the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Mejia, a three-year starter and two-time state champion at Union. “I’ve heard stories – and I know they’re true – about how great a coach he was at Union. I just thought it would be pretty cool to play for the guy that started it all. That really drew me in. This coaching staff is amazing. I like every single one of them. From a players standpoint, they’re like a family.”

There now are four Union players – Mejia, Rodriguez, fullback-receiver Chris Hall and wide receiver Khalid Kornegay – on TU’s 2013 commitment list. Verbal commitments are not binding. Recruits may sign national letters of intent in February. Mejia committed to TU after having had recruiting dialogue with coaches from Nebraska, Iowa State and Northern Colorado and Memphis (coached by former Union quarterback Justin Fuente).

Nine of Tulsa’s 18 committed recruits are Oklahomans. On OU’s commitment list, there are five Oklahomans. On Oklahoma State’s commitment list, there are none.

The Hurricane’s 2012 roster includes seven Union graduates – offensive tackle Brian DeShane, wide receiver Thomas Roberson, defensive Brentom Todd, punter Cole Way, defensive back Luke Snider, linebacker James Roberson and offensive lineman Alex Henry.

Blankenship was Union’s head man in 1992-2005 (capturing Class 6A state titles in 2002, 2004 and 2005). Hurricane defensive ends coach Adam Blankenship was a Redskin All-State defender and a Union defensive assistant in 2009-10.

-- Bill Haisten

TU’s Oklahoma commitments
Joe Bean, Hooker defensive back
Rob Boyd, Vian offensive lineman
Chris Hall, Union fullback-receiver
Khalid Kornegay, Union wide receiver
Blake Mejia, Union offensive lineman
Ben Oberste, Sallisaw athlete
Dalton Rodriguez, Union defensive end
Devin Rolan, McAlester linebacker
Zac Uhles, Norman offensive lineman

TU’s out-of-state commitments
Will Barrow, Dallas Skyline cornerback
Isaiah Brown, Katy, Texas, defensive back
Jesse Brubaker, Wylie (Texas) East defensive tackle
Keevan Evans, Abilene, Texas, wide receiver
C.J. Gooden, Ashdown, Ark., linebacker
Jake Hanks, Fort Collins, Colo., linebacker
Jonathan Parker, Christian Brothers College HS (St. Louis), running back
Ryan Rubley, Mountain Vista HS (Colo.), quarterback
Donnie White, De Smet Jesuit HS (St. Louis), defensive end



Reader Comments 3 Total
TCH51 (2 months ago)
Thanks Bill. Welcome to the Blue and Gold OL.
On The Fly (2 months ago)
TU's class is looking good.
marvin the martian lives (2 months ago)
Keep up the good work Bill. You are really going to put butts in seats with your strategy. You're doing outstanding work...great hire TU...had my doubts..no more though.
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Tulsa World Sports Writer Bill Haisten was named the 2010 Oklahoma Sportswriter of the Year. He is the World's only staff member to have covered OU, OSU, TU and ORU sports on a beat basis. He was on the OSU beat from 2004-2012. A Texas native, he has covered two Super Bowls and two national championship football games for the World.

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