Jenks' Smallwood glad to be a Sooner
BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Sunday, January 13, 2013
1/13/13 at 5:33 AM
JENKS - Jordan Smallwood didn't waste time gaining attention at last week's Semper Fi All-American Bowl.
The Jenks wide receiver made a 42-yard reception on the game's first play in his East team's 17-14 win over the West on Jan. 4.
"(The coaches came out) and said 'Let's give this Okie boy a chance,' " Smallwood said with a grin.
Smallwood, who had two catches for 51 yards, played alongside some of the nation's top high school players in the Anaheim, Calif., event.
It's been a part of a busy eight months for the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, who accepted an Oklahoma scholarship offer in early June and helped Jenks win a Class 6A state championship in the fall.
Smallwood still shows genuine enthusiasm when talking about his commitment to Oklahoma. Trojans coach Allan Trimble said the player shed tears of joy when eagerly accepting an offer from OU assistant Mike Stoops last summer.
"Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to go to (OU)," Smallwood said. "I finally had an opportunity to go there. Oklahoma State, I was leaning that way, but when OU came into the picture and seeing that crimson and cream and what they stand for tradition-wise, it was the same way as Jenks.
"I fell in love with it. I was used to it already. So I chose OU."
Smallwood caught 48 passes for 835 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior season. Trimble said opposing defenses targeted him each game.
"He handled that real well," Trimble said. "In so many games, they would put two guys over him. They would put a corner on him and a safety over him. It opened up the running game, the other receivers had more success.
"Probably, the neatest thing is that Jordan didn't mind one bit ... he's just a team player. He was never, ever the guy that's walking in and saying he wants the ball more."
Trimble has been around Smallwood for the past three seasons.
"He's come miles both mentally and physically," Trimble said. "He's so big and strong and so physical. I don't think he knew that or had a concept of how talented he was physically.
"I think it's a product of his humility. He's such a humble kid and a nice kid. We had to go out and teach him to be physical."
Smallwood is prepared to make an impact at OU.
"I want to be able to get a chance to play and start," Smallwood said. "I know that, if I don't get a chance, redshirting won't be a bad thing because I can get into the system for one year.
"But I'd love to come in there, fill a big role and help the offense out."
Eric Bailey 918-581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Jenks' Jordan Smallwood, shown running against Booker T. Washington last season, accepted a scholarship offer from Oklahoma in early June. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World
|
