Tulsa World: OSU's search for talent widens

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OSU's search for talent widens
Cowboy coaches find interest from players outside their normal recruiting pool.

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 12/21/2008 2:44 AM
Last Modified: 12/21/2008 2:47 AM

Because of nine television appearances this season (including five consecutive games on ABC), along with a 12-week run in the Associated Press Top 25, the Oklahoma State football recruiting effort has been extended beyond the Cowboys' traditional Oklahoma-Texas territory.

OSU has received verbal commitments from David Paulsen, a defensive end from Marietta, Ga.; and LeRon Furr, a linebacker from Columbus, Ga., Reportedly being recruited by OSU are linebackers from Fort Wayne, Ind. (Jordan Barnes); Athens, Ga. (DeDe Lattimore); Columbia, S.C. (Jamal Mtshali); and Memphis (Greg King). The Cowboys also are recruiting wide receiver Abrecus Martinez of Rayville, La., and cornerback Pat King of Hoover, Ala.

"We get calls from Indiana, Alabama and Mississippi, and more from Louisiana," OSU coach Mike Gundy said. "The (television exposure) has got to be why."

Ultimately, however, the most significant member of OSU's recruiting class of 2009 could be an Oklahoman — 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback Clint Chelf of Enid. In two seasons as the Plainsmen's starting quarterback, he passed for 4,124 yards and 34 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,449 yards and 22 TDs.

That ability to both pass and run has resulted in comparisons to current OSU quarterback Zac Robinson.

"If I had to compare Clint to any quarterback, it would be Zac," Enid coach Tommy Parker said. "It's no coincidence that OSU decided to come after Clint so strong."

Chelf announced his commitment to the University of Tulsa during the summer, but when Cowboy co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer offered a scholarship on Dec. 3, Chelf switched his commitment to OSU. It was a big week for the Chelf family. Randy Chelf, Clint's father and an OSU graduate, celebrated his birthday on Dec. 4, Clint Chelf turned 18 on Dec. 5, and his parents' wedding anniversary date was Dec. 7.

"I kept waiting and waiting, and Oklahoma State finally came through with a scholarship offer," said Clint Chelf, whose uncle was an OSU Pistol Pete mascot during the '80s. "I was pretty confident that they would, but it was nice when it happened."

Asked whether he considers his own skill set to be similar to Robinson's, Chelf replied, "Yeah, I do. I think it's a pretty good comparison. Zac is a great player, and I'd love to follow in his footsteps."

Verbal commitments are non-binding. Feb. 4 is the first date on which recruits may sign national letters of intent.

Robinson will be a senior during the 2009 season. It is expected that Chelf would be redshirted next season and compete for the starting job as a redshirt freshman in 2010.

Signing a quarterback and developing defensive depth are OSU's most prominent recruiting priorities. The quarterback apparently will come from Enid. As the coaches search for defensive players, their search extends far beyond its primary region.

Glenn Spencer, a first-year OSU defensive assistant who previously worked at Duke, Georgia Tech and West Georgia, has established recruiting relationships for the Cowboys in states usually dominated by the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference.

"We've got a great image out there right now," Spencer said. "Hearing some high school coaches talking, they saw us this year kind of emerge as a national program, as opposed to a regional program.

"When you go into a school and you're wearing orange and they see that OSU, there is no confusion about that being any other OSU but Oklahoma State."

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

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