Wagoner's Peterson switches commitment to OSU
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Monday, January 23, 2012
1/23/12 at 10:08 PM
Wagoner football standout Kevin Peterson switched his verbal commitment from Oklahoma to Oklahoma State on Monday after visiting Stillwater over the weekend.
“I wanted to make sure I had everything right,” Peterson said. “I talked to my parents (Monday night), and we decided it was time to go ahead and make the move.”
OSU recruited Peterson as a cornerback and kick/punt returner. He also was a running back, receiver and Wildcat quarterback last season while leading the Bulldogs to their first state championship in Class 4A.
Last month, Peterson was named the Tulsa World’s state player of the year. He finished the season with 1,621 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns on only 141 carries.
As a receiver, he had 12 catches for 189 yards and three TDs. On defense, Peterson had 42 tackles and three interceptions.
He also is a track star, capturing 5A state titles in the 100 (10.86 seconds) and 200 (22.21) in Class 4A last season.
At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Peterson is a three-star prospect, according to Scout.com. Despite being a longtime OSU fan, he verbally committed to OU in mid-December.
The next day, OSU offered, but it wasn’t until defensive backs coach Willie Martinez and defensive coordinator Brent Venables left OU that Peterson started to rethink his choice, said his high school coach, Dale Condict.
“Coach Martinez from OU in particular did a great job of building a relationship with him, felt really comfortable with him,” Condict said Monday night. “Then coach Venables came in and started building a relationship with him.
“When those two both left, I think his comfort level really started to waver.”
OSU coach Mike Gundy recently traveled to Wagoner for an in-home visit with Peterson and his parents, and then Peterson went to Stillwater on an official visit.
“They had a great weekend,” Condict said. “I think Mom and Dad really liked it. He really connected with several of the players.”
Telling OU he changed his mind was the hardest part, Peterson said.
“It was tough,” he said. “I’m not going to lie.”
Peterson said he is glad the recruiting process is finally over.
“I’ve put so much thought over the last couple months into this and to get everything done will be great to just relax and go through my senior year without any pressure,” he said. “Going from OU to OSU, it’s been really tough on my parents and me. We’re glad to be done.”
Also on Monday, OSU received a verbal commitment from Jhajuan Seales, a 6-1, 180-pound receiver from Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial. He is the fifth Cowboy commitment in two days, bringing the total to 21 for the Class of 2012.
Verbal commitments are nonbinding. High school recruits can sign national letters of intent Feb. 1.
OSU commitments (21)
Pos. Player Ht. Wt. School/hometown
WR Jhajuan Seales 6-1 180 Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial
CB Kevin Peterson 5-11 170 Wagoner
OG Chris Grishby 6-5 315 Blinn (Texas) College, Brenham (Texas)
OT Michael Wilson 6-6 250 Aledo, Texas
WR Chance Allen 6-2 190 Missouri City, Texas
DT Calvin Barnett 6-3 283 Navarro (Texas) College, Tulsa (Booker T. Washington HS)
TE Blake Jackson 6-4 232 Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College, Gilbert, Ariz.
QB Wes Lunt 6-5 205 Rochester, Ill.
WR C.J. Curry 6-2 210 Flowery Branch, Ga.
WR Brandon Sheperd 6-2 185 Chesterfield, Mo. (Parkway Central)
TE Zac Veatch 6-4 235 Broken Arrow
DE Trace Clark 6-4 225 Wichita (Kan.) Collegiate School
DE Victor Irokansi 6-3 220 Pflugerville, Texas
DE Eric Davis 6-2 240 Tyler (Texas) John Tyler
DE Emmanuel Ogbah 6-4 230 Sugar Land (Texas) George Bush
WR Blake Webb 5-11 175 The Woodlands, Texas
OL Paul Lewis 6-2 280 Galena Park (Texas) North Shore
OT Greg Brantley 6-6 305 Carthage, Texas
LB Dominic Ramacher 6-3 225 Denton (Texas) Guyer
S Ashton Lampkin 5-11 170 Fort Worth Dunbar
LB Jeremiah Tshimanga 6-2 220 Richland Hills, Texas
Associated Images:
Wagoner's Kevin Peterson, the Tulsa World's high school player of the year, has switched his verbal commitment from Oklahoma to Oklahoma State. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
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