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Turning heads
The ‘big kid’ who once turned away from football is now turning heads

Owasso offensive tackle Trent Spurgeon is among the nation's top offensive line prospects. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
 
By ANDREW GILMAN World Correspondent
Published: 7/1/2009  2:18 AM
Last Modified: 7/1/2009  3:48 AM


Related story: All-World 2009 Offensive Linemen.

We want your vote: This summer, the Tulsa World will rank the top high school football players in the Tulsa area at each position, and we’ll ask you to tell us who you think is the best by voting online. On Sunday, we kicked things off with the area’s top quarterbacks.
Voting ends 5 p.m. Aug. 3. Results will appear in our football preview.
Vote for who you think is the best at each position.



THE LOOK of surprise and admiration is pretty common around the Owasso football field these days.

With summer here and youth football camps in season, Trent Spurgeon definitely is noticeable. After all, when you stand 6-foot-8 and weigh nearly 300 pounds, turning heads comes easy.

"Yeah, there's a lot of sixth- and seventh-graders around here who have some expressions of surprise and shock when they see me," Spurgeon said. "I've heard a few say, 'Wow.' I just laugh at it."

But the biggest surprise might be from Spurgeon himself.

The Owasso senior-to-be has gone from quitting the game, taking it back up, to becoming one of Tulsa World's Top 10 linemen and ultimately ascending to being a nationally known offensive tackle.

Quite a journey for "the big kid" who gave up the game in eighth grade.

Now, heading into his senior season at Owasso, Spurgeon can take his pick from a number of college suitors and establish himself as one of the best players in Oklahoma.

"There's no question he has the chance to be a great college player," Owasso coach Bill Patterson said. "He has an opportunity."

Those opportunities have manifested themselves in several college scholarship offers. Spurgeon has narrowed his choices to Texas Tech and Arizona and said he wants to make a decision before August so he can concentrate on the Rams' upcoming season.

But that's the future. Let's go back a few years before Spurgeon started getting recruiting calls and letters on a regular basis. Back to when he didn't think he wanted to play football.

"I hated football growing up,'' Spurgeon admitted. "I didn't like anything about it. I was in Hominy and moved to Owasso after fifth grade. But I remember telling my dad how much I hated it and that I would never go back."

And the transformation from disdain to domination? Did Spurgeon ever think that would happen?

"I really didn't even ever think I would like football," he said of becoming a coveted, top tackle. "But during my sophomore year I kind of realized I could be good. It blew me away. I still don't believe it."

Now, Spurgeon is ranked as the 19th-best offensive lineman in the country, according to Rivals, and is set for a season where he definitely should be noticed.

"He's quiet and unassuming and not real vocal," Patterson said. "But he's respected. He's a young man who his teammates really like. What we're looking for out of Trent is to have an increased role as a leader. He's really started developing as an athlete. Now he needs to develop as a leader, set a good example in practice and in games, on the field and off the field and be a guy, if need be, to stand up and be heard. That's what we need from him."

And the good news is, Spurgeon doesn't have any plans to give up football any time soon. Despite the fact that he also plays basketball and competes on the track team, Spurgeon said football is his future — and he is ready to get on with it, despite the hectic schedule.

"Seems like my fall, winter and spring is already planned out," Spurgeon said. "And this fall, I expect to be a leader and get this team deeper in the playoffs."
By ANDREW GILMAN World Correspondent

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COMMENTS 
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13 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

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Report Comment
SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (7/1/2009 5:47:25 AM)
Gee, which desert location would I like to go to? I would have to say Tucson, unless he wants to be closer to home.
Report Comment
M_Conners, Tulsa (7/1/2009 3:12:39 PM)
This guy sounds like a natural talent. Why is he not being recruited by OU or OSU?
Report Comment
CrippledShark, Sand Springs (7/1/2009 3:18:31 PM)
This message is for Trent. Trent, listen to me please. If you have a dream of playing in the NFL do not attend Texas Tech. Somebody from there is selling you a pipe dream. They do not have any linemen in the NFL that are stud starters and making big time bucks. Of course I would hope that you would attend OU or at very least OSU where they have a proven track record of producing NFL linemen. Don't listen to some coach who tells you that they run a pass oriented offense and you will stand out in their system. Ask the coach at Tech to provide you with a list of NFL offensive linemen that attended Tech. Then look at that very short list and see who had a great career or even got a nice bonus and lasted 3-4 years.

Arizona is way better than Tech as far as producing NFL caliber talent. At least go where the players get drafted high and there is a proven system that NFL coaches hold in high regard.

Of course, if you just want to have fun and obtain an education then you could look at Lubbock but again I'm 99% sure that Arizona has Tech beat in the academics and partying departments as well.

OU and OSU and even good ol Blue (TU) will get you in to the NFL if you really are willing to work for it. Don't take the Crippledshark's word for it - ask other coaches besides Patterson or Leach. Heck, go on Google and do your own research.

Please reconsider.............

CS
Report Comment
Footballer, (7/1/2009 5:23:16 PM)
Sorry Shark but your comments don't jive with reality. Here is a breakdown of offensive line draft picks for all of the schools you mentioned over the last five years:

Texas Tech
Year Round Pick Player Team
2009 3 14 Louis Vasquez Chargers
2007 4 18 Manny Ramirez Lions
2006 7 16 EJ Whitley Cowboys
2005 4 28 Dylan Gandy Colts
5 14 Daniel Loper Titans
**In 2008 Tech did not graduate any starting linemen. Therefore, no draft picks
Arizona
Year Round Pick Player Team
2009 2 7 Eben Britton Jaguars
Oklahoma
Year Round Pick Player Team
2009 2 22 Phil Loadholt Vikings
5 27 Duke Robinson Panthers
2006 1 23 Davin Joseph Bucs
2 24 Chris Chester Ravens
2005 1 13 Jamaal Brown Saints
6 3 Wes Sims Chargers

Oklahoma State
Year Round Pick Player Team
2007 6 35 Corey Hilliard Patriots
2006 6 30 Charlie Johnson Colts

While OU clearly is the gold standard for putting OL in the league from this group, Arizona and OSU do not even come CLOSE to matching Tech for players going on to the NFL.
Check Drafthistory dot com if you want to check the facts.
Report Comment
Toreador1, Grove (7/1/2009 5:34:18 PM)
Shark...Tech has 5 or more offensive lineman in the NFL. Find another category.
Report Comment
WreckEmTech, (7/1/2009 5:50:03 PM)
As far as NFL linemen with Tech lineage, you've got Dylan Gandy, Daniel Loper, E.J. Whitley, Gabe Hall, Manny Ramirez, and Louis Vasquez (I may be leaving a few off) who have come out of Tech under Leach in the last 4-5 years and, at a minimum, spent time in an NFL camp. (And you could have added Rylan Reed to that list had it not been for some bad injury luck.) Now, none of those guys have huge bonuses, but Gandy and Loper have been in the league for over 4 years now I believe and Manny and Louis are looking like they'll have some staying power in the league as well.

But that's not the impressive thing- the impressive thing is that none of those guys were highly recruited superstars out of high school (Vasquez would be the closest thing to a blue-chipper on that list), yet were all made demonstrably better by playing in Leach's offense under Leach's tutelage. It simply cannot be argued that those linemen saw their stock rise dramatically while at Texas Tech.

Over that same time frame, OSU has had a whopping 4 players get a camp audition in the NFL, only three of whom have stuck, and none of whom have "nice bonuses". OU has fared slightly better, sending 9 players to NFL camps, and 6 of them have stuck, although none of them are exactly HOF caliber. But to only have 2 more OL in the NFL over the same time frame, despite recruiting ONLY top talent says to me that either a) Tech has a better eye for talent, and/or b) Tech does a better job of developing said talent. Either way is a win for Trent.

As for the Arizona argument... Well, if Leach's system won't get you into the NFL, you probably shouldn't go to Arizona, where they use... Leach's system!!! I love that logic. All things considered, since Arizona instituted their new offensive scheme two years ago, only former four-star tackle Eben Britton has gone to the NFL. And before that? Well, before that, Arizona had placed only one, ONE lineman in the NFL in recent memory, and he was drafted 11 years ago.
Report Comment
TulsaOKguy, (7/1/2009 6:50:59 PM)
GimpieShark got owned
Report Comment
CrippledShark, Sand Springs (7/2/2009 3:58:32 PM)
Apparently Footballer and Tulsa Average Guy can't read.......... Re-read my first paragraph and then name the starters from Tech that are in the NFL as stud starters and making big bucks. Guess what flagfootballer and Tulsa Average Guy, they are hard to find.

As for Toreador1.... give me names, provide proof that there are 5 starters in the NFL from Tech.

Once again the CrippledShark wins (as usual).

Peace,

Boomer Sooner
Report Comment
CrippledShark, Sand Springs (7/2/2009 4:24:30 PM)
Just to be sure that I am far superior to these dufus dingleberrys.

Dylan Gandy - Texas Tech - last played in the NFL in 2006 now on the Detroit Lions Roster but not listed on the top 3 position chart - non starter.

Manny Ramirez - Texas Tech - #2 on depth chart for Detroit Lions - non starter

Daniel Loper - Texas Tech - #3 on depth chart for Detroit Lions - non starter

Louis Vasquez - Drafted 3rd round in 2009 NFL draft by San Diego Chargers, currently listed as #3 on depth chart. Due to his good draft position he might be a starter by next year.

Case Closed to all the football wannabee's

Shark
Report Comment
Euchee1, Tulsa (7/3/2009 2:39:09 PM)
OK, so how do I vote? Been trying, no voting for now. so, come on, need some help!
Report Comment
footballguyok, (7/5/2009 5:11:16 PM)
crippled, you sound like somebody who still lives with their mom and surfs the internet all day. From everything I have read its pretty simple.

Tech looks like a far better program at putting OL in the NFL. Seeing as how we are OU fans I understand how you would try and tell the kid, "don't go to tech" is because they tend to beat us every other year and this kid would just add to that trend. Don't try to influence a kid to a worse choice just for your own gain, thats dispicable.

Everyone knows Tech is a great school and they have one of the highest graduation rates in the nation. Arizona is a fine school as well but I am a little biased and I believe the Big 12 is the top conference for football tied with the SEC. I personally would love to watch a hometown kid play in the Big 12 and at least his family could watch him because Tech has games televised unlike Arizona.

Trent, if you want to play for a winning program that will give you a good education and make the most out of your football talent go to Tech. If you want to watch your schools basketball team make it to the elite 8 go to Arizona. Oh and feel free to beat OSU but take it easy on OU.

Get a life crippled.
Report Comment
Red Rebels, (7/6/2009 6:57:56 PM)
Come take a look at Tennessee.
Report Comment
cmoney20, (7/12/2009 11:48:11 PM)
I am a fellow lineman of Trent's and I know he is a tremendous athlete with a lot of talent. No matter where he goes, he will develop into a high caliber player. As far as his college choice, it doesn't really matter where he goes, he will have the opportunity to showcase his skills to NFL scouts and get a chance at the league. Let's look at Baylor OL Jason Smith. He attended a school that hasn't had a winning season since entering the Big 12. But he said, "I heard a guy say three years ago that you can't get drafted high out of Baylor," Smith said. "My thing was, 'Watch me.' " And watch as you will he was the second overall pick in this years draft. It's about effort and Trent will succeed wherever he goes
 

 
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