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Head start for recruits
Five forgo the rest of their senior year.
  
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 1/18/2009  2:36 AM
Last Modified: 1/18/2009  2:57 AM

 A week after landing the best signing class ever under Bob Stoops — Heisman winner Sam Bradford, All-Americans Jermaine Gresham and Gerald McCoy and four-year starter Trent Williams all told the NFL it could wait the University of Oklahoma gets a solid, though less established, group on Tuesday.

That's the first day of classes at OU, and it's the day that 2009 recruits Drew Allen, Jaydan Bird, Javon Harris, Ronnell Lewis and Tom Wort officially become Sooners.

Signing day isn't until Feb. 4, but these five gave up the second semester of their senior year, moved into the Bud Wilkinson athletic dorm over the weekend and will start school Tuesday.

"I think there's a lot of excitement going on," said Don Byrd, Allen's coach at San Antonio's Alamo Heights. "Look at the guys that turned down the NFL to stay there. Look at the guys that are giving up the second part of their senior year to be a part of the program. There's a lot of excitement at OU."

At least Allen, Harris and Wort are from large towns. For Bird (from Conway Springs, Kansas, pop. 1,322) and Lewis (from Dewar, pop. 919), being on a campus of 25,000 could be a major culture shock.

"Yeah, it is a little bit, moving from a small community to a big atmosphere like down there," Lewis said. "Oh yeah. It's going to be crazy, but it's going to be fun. I just can't wait to get down there and start practicing."

Lewis and Wort will room together, as they also did at the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando two
weeks ago. The more the merrier, Wort told SoonerScoop.com.

"It definitely helps out a lot, instead of just going by yourself, we're going with a little group and we all know each other," Wort said. "It's almost like a family away from home; we are going to have to stick together for a little bit."

It was in Orlando that Lewis finally made his mark. After three years of dominating eight-man football, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Lewis became a Tulsa World All-Stater when Dewar moved to 11-man last season. Still, some doubted Lewis could do it against big-time competition.

He led his team in tackles, scored a touchdown off a fumble recovery in the first half, and laid a thunderous hit that forced another fumble in the second half.

"I don't want to sound like a jerk when I say this, but I think we're all sick and tired of hearing that," said Lewis' high school coach, Josh Been. "He proved he can play at that level, at least with those guys."

Said Lewis, "I just wanted to prove people wrong. They think Jenks and Union and schools like that, (major college programs) only recruit players from bigger schools. I just wanted to show that that's why I was recruited by OU and that's why I'm on scholarship there."

Lewis' performance swelled his rating with Scout.com to a five-star prospect and moved his national ranking to 41st overall (he previously wasn't in the Top 100) and No. 2 at strongside linebacker.



John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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11 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
lovethemsooners, Fayetteville (1/18/2009 4:42:01 AM)
Lewis is going to be a freak! They better not red shirt him, because I don't see him sticking around his entire 4 years.
Report Comment
Graybeard, Tulsa (1/18/2009 7:25:01 AM)
I'm really happy for all these young fellas.....they have the world by the tail! So much going for them: wonderful opportunity to earn a degree and play a sport on scholarship, and maybe go to the NFL someday. You can feel their excitement......and it's contagious!
Report Comment
R U 4 Real?, Tent City (1/18/2009 10:28:57 PM)
This is great. An education is worth more than a trip to the NFL.
Report Comment
Rhymeister, Tulsa (1/18/2009 10:36:44 PM)
R U 4 Real?, Tent City (1/18/2009 10:28:57 PM)
"This is great. An education is worth more than a trip to the NFL." --- It really depends where a kid gets drafted, how much his signing bonus is and how long his career lasts, but for many of the high picks, NO! It's a risky proposition, could lose gazillions like by sticking around and getting injured and never seeing a play in the NFL.

Plus many of you have no idea the financial situation of many of families of these players. Easy for you to say 'stay in school'.
Report Comment
Graybeard, Tulsa (1/19/2009 7:40:33 AM)
That college degree is priceless, and cannot be taken away. We hear stories today of "old Pro's" of yesteryear that are broke and working in a menial job.....remember "The Refrigerator" Perry? He's back in Mississippi or Louisiana working a job to survive. Spent or lost all his money. Some of these guys are too crippled up from the beatings their bodies took over the years, to work!

That high school diploma doesn't get you anywhere but behind the drive-through window at Wendy's.
Report Comment
pat, Kiefer (1/19/2009 9:24:27 AM)
BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!

Any word on a special teams coach hiring?
Report Comment
hawkdaddy57, (1/19/2009 9:41:51 AM)
I'll tell you what's priceless, giving up your last semester of your senior year in high school to go to college early and get a head start on your red-shirt season. These kids are missing out on what is probably the best time of their lives to go through the grind of winter and spring ball only to roam the sidelines in the fall. The NCAA should step in an ban these kids from enrolling early.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (1/19/2009 10:43:01 AM)
Makes me feel better as my payment to the OU Foundation is due soon.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
MaintenanceMan, Tulsa (1/19/2009 11:51:40 AM)
Cant wait to see these guys in action!!! Boomer Sooner!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Dash Riprock, Edmond (1/19/2009 1:48:38 PM)
Arbythree, it does make me feel better too about signing that check. The fact that Oklahoma 'reloads' again after an amazing season and may be in great shape for years to come is why this staff is so valuable.

Here's a prediction: Ronnell Lewis will be a name we talk about for many years to come. He has all the tools necessary along with amazing talent to become a great player in Stoopsville.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (1/19/2009 3:01:35 PM)
I agree Dash. Watch for Gabe too!!
 

 
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