TU football recruiting update
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Sunday, January 27, 2013
1/30/13 at 11:54 AM
News of the week
Lowe commits: On Saturday morning, while in the Tulsa Sports Animal radio studio, Owasso High School senior Jaylen Lowe announced his college destination.
"I am going to play football at the University of Tulsa," said Lowe, the Tulsa World's 2012 All-Metro quarterback and one of Oklahoma's more dynamic all-around athletes.
After considering scholarship offers from several NCAA Division II programs, Lowe was presented with a TU offer on Jan. 16. Lowe wanted a guarantee that he would be given an opportunity to play quarterback, and apparently he got that promise.
Other FBS programs may not have pursued Lowe because of his lack of height. He is listed at 6-foot and 180 pounds. During last year's NFL combine, Russell Wilson was measured at 5-foot-11. After an outstanding rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson plays in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.
TU's commitment list now includes two quarterbacks - Lowe and Ryan Rubley of Mountain Vista, Colo. Verbal commitments are not binding. Recruits may sign national letters of intent on Feb. 6. If Lowe and Rubley do sign with TU, the Golden Hurricane will have six scholarship quarterbacks - including returning senior starter Cody Green - on the 2013 roster.
"That's really what I wanted to do - go (to a Football Bowl Subdivision school)," Lowe said on Saturday. "I think I can be a quarterback at the next level. If that doesn't work out, they can move me if I can get on the field faster at corner or receiver. I can go play kick returner or something like that. The next year (2014), I can compete for the starting quarterback spot."
Lowe, an elite guard for the Owasso basketball team, said he is relieved to have finalized his TU decision-making process.
"I've been stressing the past two weeks," he said. "I've been trying to concentrate on basketball, but at the same time, I get out of basketball practice and people ask, 'Where are you going?' I feel so much better now."
When asked whether he might attempt to play both football and basketball at Tulsa, Lowe replied, "I think football is probably my best sport. I've played it since third grade. It's easier to me."
Weekend visitors: Among nine prospects making official weekend visits were seven committed TU recruits - Rob Boyd, a highly regarded offensive lineman from Vian; C.J. Gooden, a linebacker from Ashdown, Ark.; Jonathan Parker, a running back from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis; Chris Hall, a fullback from Union; Zac Uhles, an offensive lineman from Norman; Zach Webb, a defensive tackle from Metro Christian; and Dalton Rodriguez, a defensive end from Union.
Parker is the only running back on Tulsa's commitment list.
The two undecided visitors were Union quarterback Hunter Atyia (voted by Tulsa World readers as the 2012 metro player of the year) and Trent Sieg, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end and linebacker from Eaton, Colo.
At 5-10 and 170 pounds, Atyia is being recruited not as a QB but as an athlete who could wind up as a slot receiver. He is considering TU and Air Force.
Sustained loyalty: Rated by Scout as a three-star national prospect, Boyd has been committed to TU since March 31 (only a few days after he attended a Junior Day event at Oklahoma). He was the first prospect on Tulsa's 2013 commitment list.
At Class 2A Vian, the 6-4, 285-pound Boyd was a dominant tackle. At TU, he is expected to play a guard position.
"I visited other programs and they just weren't for me," Boyd told Scout.com. "I'm not going to lie - I'm a mama's boy. It's nice to be an hour-and-a-half from home."
Signing day countdown
The University of Tulsa commitment list currently includes 20 prospects. It is believed that TU could sign as many as 23 prospects. Verbal commitments are non-binding. High school recruits may sign national letters of intent on Feb. 6.
The rankings
Rivals 68th, Scout 78th
Position watch: Quarterback
If Lowe and Rubley do sign with TU on Feb. 6, the Golden Hurricane will have six scholarship quarterbacks on the 2013 roster.
In addition to senior returning starter Cody Green, there is junior Kalen Henderson, sophomore Joseph Calcagni and redshirt freshman Dane Evans.
During spring practice (which begins on March 5 and concludes with the April 6 spring game), Evans will attempt to supplant Henderson as the No. 2 guy.
Green is secure in the starter's role, having quarterbacked a 2012 Hurricane team that captured the Conference USA title, defeated Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl and finished 11-3.
Lowe and Rubley would arrive at TU in June.
Eventually, Lowe said on Saturday, "I'm going to push to be the starter. I love competing. I just want to get on the field (and) help the team win."
Associated Images:
Owasso quarterback Jaylen Lowe escapes from a Sand Springs defender last season. Lowe commited to TU Saturdaymorning. TULSA WORLD FILE
Boyd
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