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Barnett commits to OSU
BTW defensive tackle a 4-star national prospect.

FUTURE COWBOY
Calvin Barnett: Hornet star praises the OSU coaching staff in making his verbal commitment.
 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 8/20/2009  2:40 AM
Last Modified: 8/20/2009  2:24 PM

 Booker T. Washington High School senior Calvin Barnett, rated by Scout.com as a four-star national defensive tackle prospect, announced his commitment to Oklahoma State on Wednesday.

"I think it was a sign from God, telling me to do it," said the 6-foot-3, 330-pound Barnett. "I visited Oklahoma State three times. I had a lot of one-on-one time with (Cowboy coach) Mike Gundy.

"The OSU coaching staff is real down to earth. They want me for my athletic ability, but they took the time to learn what kind of person I am. They've turned the program around over the last couple of years. They have a lot of good commitments now, and they have a really good freshman class this year. Plus, they have amazing facilities. I really couldn't go wrong with my OSU decision."

Booker T. Washington coach Antwain Jimmerson said Barnett also received scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Arkansas, LSU, Tennessee, Southern Cal, UCLA, Florida, Alabama, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Nebraska and North Carolina.

Barnett says OSU, Arkansas and Texas Tech were his finalists.

"You know how college football is everyone wants a big, athletic lineman. There aren't that many out there," Jimmerson said. "Calvin is a big kid already, and he will grow some more."

"We're excited for Calvin," Jimmerson added. "We can just drive down the turnpike and watch him play. OSU did a good job of recruiting. Calvin has been to OSU a couple of times in the spring and summer. He also visited Arkansas and OU, so he had some places to compare to OSU.

"Defensively, our scheme is very similar to what they do at OSU. Some of the terminology is the same. (New OSU defensive coordinator) Bill Young is a good recruiter. Mike Gundy has done a good job of getting some great recruiters on his staff. When our kids have visited to OSU, they've been treated really well."

Barnett starts at both center and nose guard for the defending Class 5A state champion Hornets. He is a four-year starter.

"That says a lot at Booker T.," Jimmerson said. "There are a lot of freshmen who can't even walk though the varsity locker room."

In a span of about 24 hours, OSU got commitments from two highly rated defensive tackles. On Tuesday, Diamonte Wheeler, of Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas, announced his commitment to the Cowboys. Scout.com rates Wheeler as a three-star prospect.

Barnett is rated by Scout.com as the No. 15 defensive tackle recruit in the nation.

Also on Wednesday, OSU got a commitment from cornerback Devin Hedgepeth of Derby, Kan. Reportedly, he chose the Cowboys over the University of Tulsa, Kansas State and TCU.

Oklahoma State also is recruiting Booker T. Washington quarterback Eric Bennett, who is expected to play cornerback in college.

Of the 19 players on OSU's 2010 commitment list, 12 are defensive players. Four of the defensive players are rated by Scout.com as four-star national prospects: Barnett, outside linebacker Shaun Lewis (Hightower High School in Sugar Land, Texas), defensive end Chase Rome (Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo.) and outside linebacker Caleb Lavey (Celina, Texas).

Verbal commitments are non-binding. Recruits may sign national letters of intent in February.

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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2curious, Tulsa, OK 74104 (8/20/2009 6:53:13 AM)
Ah, come on Calvin...just go ahead and say it... you love Orange and Black!

Good luck to you and hope your career is full of great memories.
Report Comment
Stomp, (8/20/2009 12:45:52 PM)
awesome defensive class shaping up. wonder where it ranks in the defensive recruiting classes of the last ten years...
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Stomp, (8/20/2009 12:48:22 PM)
oh, and currently, scout dot com has OSU at 11th nationally with this recruiting class.
Go pokes!
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Arbythree, Tulsa (8/20/2009 12:48:44 PM)
A sign from God? I heard it was Pickens acting like God.
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Stomp, (8/20/2009 12:57:07 PM)
Scout just reported OSU got a verbal from Tommie Saunders...yet another four star defensive recruit...#19 ranked safety nationally. Momentum is building on itself now...
Report Comment
ForWhatIt'sWorth, (8/20/2009 11:03:23 PM)
come on, arby. i know you can do better than that.
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Rhymeister, Tokyo, JPN (8/22/2009 8:35:04 AM)
Seeing as how a former opponent's son is the QB at Bixby maybe a stab in the dark but is Barnett's father named Pete?
 

 
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