Overton Fulfills Boyhood Dream

Growing up a lifelong Sooner fan once Jenks, Okla. Rivals250 defensive tackle Marquise Overton picked up an Oklahoma offer it seemed an almost foregone conclusion that he would end up playing his college football in Norman, Okla.

But as recently as a few weeks ago Overton admitted he was unsure about the process and was considering running out his recruitment for some time and filling that time with multiple visits. Late last week that all started to change.

"It was probably the beginning of the last week that I started to think about (committing to Oklahoma) a lot," Overton said. "I don't know what changed really, I've just been thinking about it and talked to my family over and over and I thought it was the best thing for me."

Overton made his commitment to Bob Stoops and was working to set up a conversation time with position coach and lead recruiter Jerry Montgomery. However, there was one person that he informed who couldn't hold their emotions in check - his mother.

"I told her today when she was at work and she was crying on the phone," he admitted.

So did last night's historic win over Alabama have anything to do with his decision?

"It was a little bit tonight, a game, that happened and I've been thinking so I thought this was the day to do it," he said.

"I was so excited, I actually had the butterflies calling (Stoops)."

Though there is no denying that Overton's feelings about the university played a role in his decision it was far from the only factor as he had conversations with several of his coaches and even fellow Sooner offer, class of 2014 Rivals100 safety Steven Parker.

"I talked to all sorts of people, my coaches, I talked to Steven about it too and he just told me if that's what I want to do I should do it but if I felt like I needed to wait then wait," he recalled. "I just thought that that is where I want to go and spend my four years, so my family can come see me."

The last time Overton's family had a chance to see him play he was busy putting on a dominating performance in the 6A state championship against arch rival Tulsa Union. And it's no surprise that he drew such strong reviews from not only his family but everyone in attendance as Overton says he came in with something to prove.

"The first game, the way (Tulsa Union) came at me was different. Some teams when they double me they kind of hold back that double or kind of wait on it. Union they just came straight at me, right off the ball and I didn't see it coming and I didn't play like I wanted to," he said. "The state game, I wasn't healed all the way but I was way better than I was before, I never really had any trouble that night."

Overton was part of a defense that almost entirely shut down a powerful Union ground game and harassed Union passing game throughout in spite of a pair of strong performances from, now, fellow Sooner commitments Carson Meier and Jeffery Mead.

"I thought it was one of my best games of the whole year," Overton confessed.

For the Trojans Overton is the linchpin of the defensive line and though he could play any number of roles for Oklahoma in their ever-evolving defensive front there is just one that he enjoys the most.

"Right now I really don't know, I think I'll be a zero or one, maybe a little three here and there," he said. "I like being head up over the center and I like running over him, I like being straight up."

Though a self-professed longtime Oklahoma fan with such an early commitment people will always wonder just where things stand for the Sooners and Overton for him, his decision is made and recruitment has ended.

"Right now, I'm thinking I'm good with my answer and what I'm doing and that's with Oklahoma," he said.