Transcript Of Bob Stoops' Signing Day Comments ...

Feb. 6, 2002

Opening Statement
"We're awfully excited about the prospects and potential of this group and I'm extremely pleased with the effort of our coaches.

"I'm very excited about the balance of the class. We have a good mix of big guys, athletic skill guys and guys in between. We got a little bit of everything. I'm very pleased with the speed and athleticsm at every position. That's a priority for us at every position. We want everyone to be able to run, to have quickness and the ability to change direction that you need to be successful.

"The two quarterbacks are very athletic. They're both good basketball players and one is a seven-foot high-jumper in Paul Thompson. Noah Allen had great statistics in high school in throwing and winning. The three receivers we signed, Travis Wilson, Jejuan Rankins and DaBryan Blanton are all very athletic. Blanton may be the fastest high school prospect in America. I'd like to see someone who is faster. Rankins may be one of the best receiver in SEC/ACC country there on the east coast. Wilson is a guy we've had in camp. He's extremely powerful and has good size. We've been excited about him ever since last summer's camp. J.D. Runnels is a big, powerful tight end, fullback type and we're very pleased to have him in the program.

"Over on the offensive line, Chris Messner is a big guy who will fill out and become an outstanding offensive lineman. Steve Taylor already has the size along with Jeff Lebby and we're just anxious to see those two guys develop. In Abner Estrada, we had player that we had to fight for with Miami and Nebraska. He is a guy who might pull and run as an offensive lineman better than anyone I've seen over the last three years.

"Defensively, we had a need at linebacker that everyone recognized. The four guys we got there are all excellent athletes. They have power, quickness and just everything we want. Two of those guys are already here. Pasha Jackson and Lance Mitchell will be in winter conditioning and spring ball and that will help our team. Wayne Chambers and Rufus Alexander are again very athletic-type guys and we like them.

"On the line, Davin Joseph is a big powerful player. He's 6-5, 275 and he runs so well. What I love about him is that he's a national champion heavyweight wrestler. That tells you the kind of work ethic and toughness he has.

"At defensive end, Larry Birdine, Calvin Thibodeaux and Zach Laitmer have exceptional quickness. Defensive end is a position where we needed depth and players who could possibly help us this year. Hopefully, these guys will.

"We got four defensive backs were are awfully good. Brodney Poole is a big guy with good speed. Aaron Miller and Michael Hawkins are 6-1, 6-2 in height and Jason Carter is another guy in that 6-foot range so I like our size there. They all could move around and play different positions and we'll work that out and find out what is best for them.

"At kicker, Josh Roberts one of the best kickers in the country. When we talked to the kicking specialists around the country, they had him as one of their top guys. He has a chance to make an impact on the team this year.

"This class is spread out around the country and we'll always do that. We do recruit nationally in areas where we feel players have interest. For instance, we recognized that Jejuan was one of the best receivers in the country and really went after him. It's not like we recruit NC, but we isolated him and we were able to complete it with him. In California, it was same thing. We had a lead at linebacker and we knew that . Aaron Miller one of best defensive backs in the country. We went after them and were able to complete that too. Zach Latimer recognized our need and was excited about our relationship with him. We went to Colorado and got an excellent player.

"We had the national championship and then we followed that up with another good season. The exposure we've gotten has given us an opportunity to recruit around the country. The prospects see you and recognize you. We do get a lot of great response which is helping our recruiting. I could not be more happy, more pleased. It is one of the better classes in the country. It gets down to developing players to getting down to who has the best class. Our first class didn't get great reviews, but now look at Josh Heupel, Derrick Strait and Antwone Savage. All of them helped us win a national championship. I'm smart enough to realize that I'm cautiously opt. It's what they do here, how we develop them and their work ethic to see how they end up in the future. This is exciting and we look forward to working with them."

On reception he gets after success.
"You are now one of the more pop teams. You walk in and they recognize your jacket or the logo on the clothes you're wearing. You see a group of young people get excited because you're someone they're familiar with and they recognize success. There is a lot more attraction now."

On the role facilities play in recruiting.
"They matter. It shows all the recruits that as positive and good as these last few years have been, we're not standing still. We pushing to improve even more and I think that's going to happen. With these classes and the people we have coming back, I think we're going to be able to sustain some success."

On how many in this class will play right away.
"A great number will have a chance to play. There is such a big gap between now and when we start. What they do between now and the time we start could determine a lot of that. It's just hard to tell right now. There are a number of them who seem to have the maturity and the strength and quickness to help us."

On the possibility of Davin Joseph participating in football and wrestling.
"It depends on how school goes, but I'm all for it. I'm all for any guy who has the ability to play two sports. I believe if you have that kind of ability you should use it."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Transcript Of Bob Stoops' Signing Day Comments ...

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors