Prime facilities help recruiting

BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Monday, August 10, 2009
8/10/09 at 10:38 AM

STILLWATER — Several factors have carried the Oklahoma State football program from a last-place Big 12 finish in 2005 to its No. 11 ranking in this year's preseason coaches poll.

Prominent among those factors is recruiting. The Boone Pickens Stadium makeover has made a huge difference in OSU's recruiting effort.

"These facilities can get us two or three players a year that we wouldn't have gotten otherwise," Cowboy associate head coach Joe DeForest said. "Over a period of four to five years, you get 12 to 15 guys — difference-making guys — that you wouldn't have gotten before the stadium was renovated. Before the stadium project, we might have gotten one (elite recruit) per class."

Of the 15 players on OSU's 2010 commitment list, coach Mike Gundy estimates that five made their decision ultimately because of the Cowboys' facilities upgrade.

On Sunday night, according to GoPokes.com, OSU offered a scholarship to defensive end C.J. Olaniyan of Mott High School of Warren, Mich.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Olaniyan is rated by Scout.com as a four-star national recruit. Scholarship offers reportedly have also come from Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Purdue.

What makes OSU coaches think they have a shot at getting a commitment from a blue-chip recruit who resides in the heart of Big Ten territory?

It was Olaniyan who initiated the dialogue. He sent an e-mail to OSU coaches, asking whether they might be interested in recruiting him.

That e-mail probably doesn't happen if Oklahoma State hadn't spent $283 million on its stadium renovation.

The new west-end structure includes a 14,000-square-foot locker room, a 20,000-square-foot strength-and-conditioning facility and a 5,500-square-foot team theater. No corners were cut. There cannot be a nicer or more complete facility in college football.

When highly regarded Florida offensive-line recruit Dan Koenig recently committed to OSU, he was quoted as saying, "The facilities are excellent."

Among the reasons that Chase Rome, a four-star defensive tackle from Columbia, Mo., committed to OSU: "Great facilities."

A few days after visiting a Florida Gator spring practice, blue-chip linebacker Caleb Lavey of Celina, Texas, made an unofficial visit to the OSU campus. Within 48 hours of touring Boone Pickens Stadium, he announced his commitment to Oklahoma State.

THREE STORYLINES

Three storylines from Oklahoma State practice:

Pass rush: OSU mustered only 15 sacks last season. Does new defensive coordinator Bill Young see the potential for improvement? "We really like our players," Young said. "We're starting to develop some depth. There are some players coming on who were a little bit lost during the spring."

No. 2 QB: Through five practices, coach Mike Gundy has not decided whether Brandon Weeden or Alex Cate gets the No. 2 title. "I would like to think that we could do that 10 days (before the Sept. 5 opener against Georgia)," Gundy said. "No question, both of them are better. That's encouraging. Somebody is going to have to step up so we can name the No. 2 guy."

Backfield depth: "We've got about seven (running backs) that can run," Gundy says. "Kendall (Hunter) is very special. Keith Toston has had a good career here. Beau Johnson is a guy that doesn't get to play a lot, but he makes plays. That doesn't even get into Kye (Staley), Travis (Miller) and the freshmen that we really like."

OSU KEY DATES

Through Monday, fans are allowed to attend the first hour of OSU's practices. The Cowboys practice at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

The first hour of Monday's 4:45 p.m. practice is open to the public. After Monday, all practices are closed. Each OSU practice is expected to take place on the grass practice fields located immediately east of Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Aug. 17: Classes begin

Sept. 5: Georgia at OSU, 2:30 p.m.

2009 SCHEDULE

Sept. 5: Georgia KTUL-8 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 12: Houston FSN-27 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 19: Rice 6 p.m.

Sept. 26: Grambling 6 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Texas A&M TBA

Oct. 17: Missouri TBA

Oct. 24: at Baylor TBA

Oct. 31: Texas TBA

Nov. 7: at Iowa State TBA

Nov. 14: Texas Tech TBA

Nov. 19: Colorado ESPN-25 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 28: at Oklahoma TBA

Dec. 5: Big 12 Championship KTUL-8 7 p.m.

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Oklahoma State has spent $283 million on renovations to Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, including a 20,000-square-foot strength-and-conditioning facility. CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World