Hearne Breaks Silence with Sooner Commitment
Lancaster, Texas offensive lineman Dominique Hearne has been one of the biggest names this spring picking up numerous offers - a list that he says is now 'around 20' - but the problem with all of that buzz?
Nobody heard it.
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The 6-foot-3, 288-pound offensive lineman says that one school after another came through this spring and extended offers to go with the few that he had prior to the spring. However, one of his first offers, Oklahoma, had long been on his mind.
And on Thursday night he could think about it no more.
"I've been leaning that way a while," Hearne said. "I thought about (committing) after I left.
"I just gave it some thought, I liked the way they were close, like a family. I hung around with the offensive line, and liked how they were toward each other."
During the No. 88 prospect in Texas's visit he spent some time around the Sooner players, who were taking part in Oklahoma's camp, and said that he had a chance to ask them some questions; including one in regard to his lead recruiter Bill Bedenbaugh.
"I got to talk with the coaches and they talked about the system and how I would fit in. Just saw how it was a good fit for me," Hearne said. "The players were saying (Bedenbaugh) was a good coach."
Though not an offensive lineman Hearne also spent time talking with fellow Lancaster product, Sooners sophomore cornerback Dakota Austin.
"I talked to Dakota for a while, he was just saying stay focused and you'll be good," he explained.
It was the Sooners second-year assistant that Hearne called on Thursday evening to let him know that he had finally come to a decision. It was a decision that the nation's No. 41 guard says came down to the Sooners and a former Big 12 rival.
"I called coach Bedenbaugh [to commit], he was saying it was great to have you on board and can't wait to have you on the team," he said. "My decision was between Oklahoma and A&M."
Some debate has already begun in regard to where Hearne might play in college and though Hearne isn't quite sure he says either interior spot could fit him just fine.
"I'm not sure, right now, I think they said guard. I've never played center, but at practice, I do some snaps."