Webb getting comfortable as a starter
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
11/20/12 at 5:18 AM
STILLWATER - Four years ago, Brandon Webb was faced with a decision: Orange and black or crimson and cream.
A standout prep career at Owasso earned the All-State offensive lineman offers from Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. With his father, Terry, being an All-Big Eight guard on OU's 1974-75 national-championship teams, Webb ending up in Norman seemed likely.
"At first, I was really interested in OU because my dad went there and I had been a fan the whole time," said Webb, a junior at OSU. "It was all I knew."
Webb had half a dozen options for college, but a desire to be close to home narrowed his choices. He went on several visits, including to Stillwater.
That's when Cowboys offensive line coach Joe Wickline made a lasting impression.
"I met Coach Wickline," Webb said. "I knew he was the best in the nation, and he persuaded me to come here. I liked the atmosphere here and everybody here was great. I felt like it was the right place to be."
So Webb opted to turn down the Sooners and verbally committed to OSU.
"I don't know that (OU) went all-out to get him and we did," coach Mike Gundy said. "And then I think he liked it here.
"Sometimes players don't want to follow in their dad's footsteps. That could have been a factor."
Webb said his father wasn't upset with the decision.
"He'd been with me on all my trips, so he said he kind of expected it," Webb said. "It wasn't as big of a surprise to him as most people would think."
Webb and his father aren't the only athletes in the family. Sister Jasmine was a Division II All-American basketball player at Northeastern State. Second cousin Tracy Scroggins played football at Tulsa and with the Detroit Lions.
Upon arriving at OSU, Webb redshirted in 2009 and saw limited action the past two seasons. He began fall camp as a backup at left guard and, after seeing heavy rotation in the first half of the year, has started the last two games.
"He has gotten considerably better in the last six weeks in practice," Gundy said. "He is getting a little better each game."
The switch to Webb was the result of sixth-year senior Jonathan Rush being "beat up" after recovering from injuries and surgeries, Gundy said. Now, Webb appears solid in the starting role.
"It's been a long process," Webb said. "I did think (starting) was a possibility. I knew I had to work for it. It happened a little later than I would like, but I'm just happy it happened and I'm playing more."
This week, Webb prepares for his first start against the school he nearly attended.
"Obviously growing up in Oklahoma, the big thing was Bedlam," he said. "You always paid attention to it. You always dreamed of playing in that game, so now it's here and I get to play in it. I think it's going to be really exciting."
Kelly Hines 918-581-8452
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Brandon Webb defends in front of a passing Clint Chelf in a Nov. 10 game against West Virginia. Webb, a junior from Owasso, is a starter on the Cowboys' offensive line. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World
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