In what is becoming a growing trend one of Oklahoma's most recent offers has considerable familiarity with one of the program's newest representatives. And according to Los Angeles Loyola athlete David Long that connection to new outside receivers coach Dennis Simmons is one that he hopes will continue to grow.

The nation's No. 30 overall athlete, and California's No. 41 prospect overall, picked up an Oklahoma offer last week and said that it was his first contact with the Sooner staff.

"That's my first contact with Oklahoma, although Coach Simmons recruited me at Washington State," Long recalled. "I've spoken to him a few times during my sophomore year right before my junior season. He is a real good guy, I went to a satellite camp they had not far from here and worked with the receivers and I like what he does with the receivers and what he has done at Washington State."

As a player who stars both ways for Loyola there is some debate about where he will find himself in the college game but Long says that Oklahoma made it clear that one Sooner staff member has eyes to bring Long's talent to his side of the ball.

"They said they would love me to come play receiver but they are going to offer me as an athlete. The offensive coordinator [Lincoln Riley] said he was going to try to make sure I stay on the offensive side of the ball," he said. "Where I play, it definitely doesn't matter to me.

"Honestly, I can't say that I prefer one either/or. At camps I just switch off with however I feel that day. If I feel like playing receiver I do, if I feel like playing corner I play corner. If I can play earlier at one or the other, I'll go to that position."

As Simmons continues to learn about his new program he'll be trying to teach Long all he can as well.

"Outside of football, I don't know too much. You don't read too much out here, the only time I follow them - I know one year they played Southern California but that was a long time ago," he said. "I was a big fan of Kenny Stills and of course I liked Adrian Peterson and liked him when he was out there," he explained."

Long said there is no particular connection between himself and fellow Southern Californian, Stills, but sees some definite parallels between each of their games.

But it will take more than that for the Sooners to reel in the talented West coast athlete. That being said, Oklahoma seems likely to get a visit - perhaps as soon as this summer.

"I actually spoke with my mom about that last night. We are trying to get some things planned out, potentially maybe doing something in this summer.," he said.

And though the trip from Los Angeles to Norman is huge not only geographically but socially for Long he says the ties to Los Angeles area powers UCLA and USC aren't as strong as one might assume.

"Staying close has never been big for me. I go to school out of the city, I get a carpool to school and take the train back home. Actually Loyola is a few minutes from USC but sometimes I feel like a lot of people, California guys, that we're inclined to stay in the state and I feel differently about myself," he said.

"Wherever is the best opportunity for me and my family is where I will go."

For Long it's about acquiring more information and continuing to try and enjoy the recruiting process. A process that has surprised him so far.

"I definitely didn't think it would get like this, my sophomore year, I got a couple of big schools - UCLA and Washington was pretty big for me but then get Oregon, Michigan, and Oklahoma, which is really big for me, came in. It makes me sit down and slow things down," he said. "I'm definitely going to take my time, I'm not going to rush anything. I didn't have any real interest from Oklahoma (until a few days ago) so I'll wait to see who all comes in and make a decision when I'm ready."