Early TU enrollee ready for college move
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Sunday, January 06, 2013
1/06/13 at 6:51 AM
For most recruits, football is the most prominent factor in the decision to graduate early from high school and become a mid-term enrollee in college.
They want to be involved in spring practice, which accelerates the process of acclimation and learning, which could lead to immediate playing time.
Keevan Lucas, a wide receiver from Abilene (Texas) High School, acknowledges that he wants to be on the field as a University of Tulsa freshman. But when he committed to an early graduation and an early arrival at TU, there also was this consideration: "I want to start the next chapter of my life."
Lucas is the only Golden Hurricane recruit who will enroll early, attend classes during the spring semester and participate in spring drills that begin in March. He is 18, but has a maturity forged by personal setbacks. His mother died when Lucas was a high school freshman. Within days of his mother's passing, his maternal grandmother also died. Since then, Lucas' caretakers have been an aunt and uncle in Abilene.
When asked about his father, Lucas replied, "He hasn't been in my life very much."
Lucas paused, then added, "Actually, he hasn't been in my life at all."
In a complete sense, Lucas' new life begins this week. On Thursday, he will pack the necessities of a college guy's life - clothes, shoes, an iPod, an iPhone and Dr. Dre headphones - into his 1995 Chevy pickup and begin the 385-mile drive to the TU campus. After getting settled in a dorm room, he will attend a team meeting on Sunday and his first TU classes on Monday.
"The only thing I'm concerned about is not figuring things out fast enough - getting lost and stuff like that," said Lucas, who committed to TU in July.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Lucas is the only wide receiver among 18 players on Tulsa's commitment list. He was recruited by Hurricane offensive coordinator Greg Peterson and may become Trey Watts' successor on punt and kickoff returns, but Lucas first must complete the rehabilitation of a knee injury that was sustained during Abilene's seventh game of the season.
"When school starts, I'll resume my therapy and get back on the field," Lucas said. "I'm ready to come back stronger than ever."
Original Print Headline: Early Hurricane enrollee ready to begin college career
Bill Haisten 918-581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
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Keevan Lucas: He is the only Hurricane recruit who will enroll at Tulsa early and attend spring drills
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