Cowboys recruit sticking with commitment despite other interest
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Sunday, January 20, 2013
1/25/13 at 2:31 PM
People who watched Corion Webster play football know he can run.
And, recently, it was learned that Webster knows how to stand pat.
Webster, who ran for more than 1,600 yards during his senior year of high school ball in Atlanta, Texas, committed to Oklahoma State in June. Commitments are non-binding until national signing day, which means recruits - committed or not - are free agents in the meanwhile.
Arkansas lost a running back who declared for the draft. Texas lost a prospect who de-committed and pledged allegiance to TCU. Recruiters representing the Razorbacks and Longhorns called Atlanta coach Matt McClure to inquire about prying Webster away from the Cowboys.
McClure then contacted Webster and said "we need to talk."
It wasn't a long talk, which isn't surprising, since Webster has a reputation as a quiet kid.
McClure told Webster that Arkansas and Texas were all of a sudden interested. And Webster responded by saying he is committed to Oklahoma State and isn't going anywhere else.
"That's all I need to know," McClure said.
After recounting the conversation to a reporter, McClure said this: "When everybody nowadays is looking out for themselves and not being very loyal, I think it says a lot for a high school kid to be loyal to his commitment."
Webster indicated it was easy.
"I like my choice," he said. "And they (other programs) weren't really reaching out to me."
Webster said he likes everything about OSU. He is of the opinion that he can play as a freshman and, because of current events, he'll get a chance to prove it.
OSU's starting running back, Joseph Randle, declared for the NFL draft. Jeremy Smith, Randle's running mate in past seasons, is expected to trade his Robin role for the Batman job. But the Cowboys need depth behind Smith. And Webster, depending on how game-ready he is, could be in the mix.
McClure coached Webster for two seasons and found him to be immediately ready to make an impact at the high school level. During their first spring practice together, Webster opened eyes by sticking his foot in the ground and going north and south on a stretch play. Eureka. McClure knew he had something special.
"Obviously we weren't in pads at that time, but you could just see the explosiveness," McClure said.
"And then the first game we played out here at our place against Gilmer, he ran for 200-some yards and broke a couple of long ones. That's when it gets fun as a playcaller. At any point and time, you can give him the ball and he's got a chance to go the distance."
McClure described Webster as a dependable young man who perhaps missed one day of class in two years. Now the coach intends to talk to Webster about taking a step up in class.
"I think any time you have got kids coming from high school to college, I think the biggest thing they have to do is accept the challenge of basically everyone else being as talented as you," McClure said.
"I think the biggest deal that I'm going to try to tell him before he leaves is to accept the challenge and to compete. A lot of times, I think him being a quiet guy, he kinds of sits back. I think he's going to have to get up there and get noticed and do something special at some point."
McClure said Webster has room to grow and get stronger and faster.
"I think the sky is the limit because he is really, really sharp football-wise," the coach said. "My quarterback my first year here, I talked to Corion more about the offense than I talked to him. I think he knows what everybody does, not just him, so I think that will help him play early also."
Original Print Headline: Cowboy recruit sticking to his word
Jimmie Tramel 918-581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
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