Looking High and Low for DTs
With less than six months to go until National Signing Day on the sixth of February in 2013, Oklahoma and defensive tackles coach, Jackie Shipp still do not have a defensive tackle commitment in this class.
That said there are still a number of prospects at the position who are uncommitted and hold Sooner offers including three junior college prospects - Toby Johnson, Marcus Hardison and Quincy Russell.
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6-foot-3 and 305 pound, Marquel Combs is yet another JUCO prospect out of Woodland Hills (Calif.) Pierce C.C. that could pick up a Sooner offer soon as well.
"Yes," Combs responded when asked if Oklahoma has been showing any interest. "I talk to coach Shipp a lot. He came and watched me workout this spring and he says he likes what he sees. He's trying to decide if he is going to go the JUCO route."
The four-star prospect is originally from Memphis, Tenn. and has a list of offers that exceeds thirty even though Combs committed in April to Mississippi and head coach, Hugh Freeze.
"It's just the atmosphere, the love I got from the coaching staff, the fans and the players. And just what I believe in what coach Freeze is trying to do at Ole Miss," he explained.
His commitment to the Rebels isn't stopping Combs from taking visits to other programs. Combs is planning on visiting Kansas on September 15 when the Jayhawks face TCU and on December 1 he will be visiting Kansas State when they play Texas.
If he were to receive an OU offer, Combs says he would definitely have to take a visit to Norman as well.
"I would have to come check it out and take a visit and talk to some players," he stated.
Combs has two friends that are current Sooners in former teammate, Kasseim Everett, who played with Combs last season at Pierce. And also Brannon Green, who is a longtime friend of his as well.
The December graduate says that Everett and Green both talk to him about the Sooner program.
"Everything is just the tradition. The atmosphere, the game time atmosphere, the coaching staff and how they expect a lot out of you," he answered.
Being that Combs would be coming from the JUCO ranks it's no surprise that playing time is something he is looking for at the FBS level.
"Playing time and who can help develop me to get to the next level. That is one of my biggest things that I am really trying to work on, that and trying to get a good degree," Combs said.
Last season at Pierce, Combs finished the year with 34-tackles, 10-tackles for loss and three-sacks.